Page 18 of Cursed

“That will help.” I shake my head in shock. “You were right to keep this between us. It would cause panic otherwise.”

“I wouldn’t trust anyone with this info. It might be the advantage you need if Mannyx doesn’t know you know. By the way, I can take those kids off your hands. I know a safe house or two.”

“You aren’t going to help me take them down?” But as I ask, I know it’s too much to expect.

“I wish I could, but I have a mess of my own with the witches in the mortal realm.”

“As if supes don’t have enough problems.” I rub my face. I should be helping with settling the conflict between the supes and the mortal witches, not fighting my own kind.

“Well, the witches blame us for the loss of magic.” Maxum turns off the water and stares in the direction of the two females beyond the closed door. “I’ll wipe this incident from those bullies’ memories. But there are no guarantees, especially with that seer. She might have a vision of this.”

I grumble but know I can only deal with one problem at a time. “Hopefully, my coven can take down the corrupt council members. And when this is all done, let me know if I can help you with the witches. I’ll likely be out of a job for abandoning my post. So I’ll have some free time if I don’t die.”

“Then don’t die.” He grins and pulls me into a hug that makes me feel tiny when I’m actually a built, six-foot-tall male. “I believe in you, Quade. And I believe your mate will be a force to be reckoned with too.”

I agree, but I need to verify Millie and Chara’s claims and ensure my mate has the best chance to survive this before I meet up with her again.

8

HIDING OUT

SHAYLA

Iwake with Rourke sleeping between Branden and me. They insisted that I not sleep next to Branden, just in case Branden had another night terror episode. I don’t believe that would happen again, but it soothed their nerves. I allowed their little sleeping arrangement, only because I could feel through our bond how upset Branden was about accidentally attacking me.

When I argued about it as we were crawling into bed, Branden said I had no sense of self-preservation. Not the first time he accused me of that. Oh well. I lost that argument.

As I wake from a mostly fitful night’s sleep, I’m pressed against Rourke’s oven of a body. His strong arms are wrapped around me protectively.

Weirdly, I don’t mind. I guess I’ve forgiven him for stupid behavior. He did save my life, after all. And in his own idiotic way, he thought he was saving my life this whole time when he was pushing me away. But he could have talked to me about his dumb plan. He might not even be an asshole at all. Just confused and misguided about how to deal with life.

I recognize that he didn’t grow up with any better parenting and guidance on how to be a good person than I did. Maybe since he had riches and influence it’s harder for him to trust someone—especially some random girl he met at a party.

He trusts Branden now, but I’d bet my left tit that was a hard-earned trust.

No, Rourke doesn’t have a firm grasp on how to handle feelings.

Not that I’m an expert. I barely understand my emotions after having my heart’s walls cracked open for the first time since I was a baby. All five of my mates have broken down my defenses. I’m vulnerable. But that also means I’m open to having love in my life now.

Navigating all these feelings and insecurities and learning to trust and love isn’t as easy as reading a map or using the human’s GPS device. There are no maps. We are all lost in this crazy life, reaching out for something that makes sense in the darkness.

My heart aches. I miss my mates. I need to be with Landis, Arden, and Quade again and soon. I think I’m ready to travel. I want to meet up with the others now.

I place a hand on Rourke’s chest, feeling his heart’s steady beating under my palm.

Looking up at his face, I realize he isn’t sleeping. “Have you been staring at me in my sleep… like a creeper?” I’m joking, but not completely.

His cheeks bloom with a pink blush. “Uh, yeah. Sorry. Holding you in my arms felt like I was in some weird dream.”

“Good weird dream? Or a bad dream?”

“Good weird,” he says with a smile, and kisses the top of my head.

“Will you tell me what’s on your mind?” I ask. “What was it that you were regretting after Branden and I bonded?”

Rourke swallows hard and closes his eyes. I feel him pull away emotionally, so I shift back a bit, worried about what he’ll confess.

“You probably felt me when I made up my mind… about ending my father.”

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