Page 19 of Cursed

“What?” I don’t want his father to be a problem for any of us, but this is no small thing.

Rourke believes he has to do this, and I instantly want to protect him from this horrible, toxic thought.

Unfortunately, it’s an urge that I’m familiar with… murderous intentions. If my mere thoughts could kill, my mother would have been dead several times over while she burned and tortured me. “No, Rourke, you can’t take that burden on.”

“He won’t take it on alone,” Branden says, sitting up and looking at me over Rourke’s side. “I’ll help him.”

“Guys, no. You can’t—”

Rourke cuts me off. “Yes, I can. Hewillkill you. Of that, I have no doubt.” His hand cups my cheek. “I don’t know if you will ever fully accept my bond, but it doesn’t matter. I have to protect you.”

“But we can go to the Enforcers. The authorities…”

“They’re bought and paid for. At least, the ones in power are.” Rourke shakes his head. “He will also continue to hurt the rest of the supernatural community. I won’t let that happen either. Only a few things can stop a dragon of his size and power, and one is another dragon.”

Branden curses. “Rourke, you know that even you and I together might not be enough. Shayla, you will probably have to help.”

“No!” Rourke possessively pulls me to my chest in a gesture that’s very much like my protective druid. “She will get hurt. Or killed.”

I pat Rourke’s side for him to release his hold. When he does, I sit up, pulling the blanket to cover myself. “You don’t get to decide if I help you. You’re right that he will continue to hurt other people. I won’t allow that either. Besides, the decision for me to fight might not be up to any of us. I’ve found that getting away from the enemy isn’t as easy as it would seem. I finally got away from my mother, only to land in a bigger mess. I have no doubt this will end with us fighting for our lives. So let’s go meet with the others, and you can help me train to use my strange powers. You can help me with my fire. Will you do that for me?” My voice cracks at the request. I’m being vulnerable with him—for the first time since that party.

Will he deny me… again?

“Fuck yes, I will help you.” Rourke sits up and cradles me to his side. “I would have offered, but I thought you’d spit in my face. I know you hate fire, but it’s all I have to offer you.”

I reach up and stroke his stubbled chin. “It isn’t all you have to offer.”I kiss his cheek. “I’m ready to finally control fire and not let it control me anymore.”

* * *

After resting most of the day, the dynamic duo informs me we can’t leave right away. Feeling more myself, I pace the lair’s bedroom and worry about my other mates.

Branden explains, “Drake might be searching for us in this area. He has spies everywhere, and we are safe as long as we stay in the mountain.”

“But how will we know it’s a good time to leave?”

“There might never be a good time.” Rourke clenches his jaw and paces. “But we should wait until it’s dark.”

My vampire mate strides up to me and places his hand over my heart. “You want to know that they are okay?”

I nod, not trusting my voice to come without tears.

“Think of them. Really feel them in your heart,” he instructs. “You are connected to them, even if you don’t have a solidified bond with Hollis and Arden.”

I close my eyes and visualize my mates.

“Do you feel them?” he asks. “Down the threads that you developed with them?”

My mind clears, and finally, I can see the glowing filaments of love. Energetically, I can sense them on the other end. “I think… I can feel them,” I say in awe.

“Do they feel harmed?” he asks.

“No, they feel… upset?” I guess.

“They miss you. They’re worried about you. As they should be.” Rourke murmurs from across the room. “I would be. Fuck. You’re alive and in front of me, andI’mworried and upset.”

“Then let’s go!” I move toward Rourke and take him by the arms.

Damn, his arms are thick with muscle.

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