Page 47 of Evil Hearts

“No, of course not,” Silas agreed. “But soul exchanges are for life. Once you’re bound to me, that life will be very long. You need to be sure.”

“I’m sure,” she said, finding his hand and gripping it in hers. Reed sat up and scooted around so he was sitting facing her and Silas. She was surrounded by men and had never felt so safe or cherished in her life.

“We don’t mind courtin’ you,” Reed insisted. “We could take you out to shows and dinner. Then we’d treat you good every night.”

“I’d still like to go out on dates, but I don’t need more time, or, um, c-c-courtin’?” she stumbled over the unfamiliar word.

“It’s another term for dating,” Silas explained. For the first time he looked hopeful. “You’re honestly sure?”

She looked at all of them before answering so they could see the truth in her eyes. “Yes. I l-l-love all of you. I know it’s fast, but it feels right.”

“That’s what we wanted to hear,” Idris said. “I love you right back.”

“Same,” Reed said. “My wolf wants out in the worst way. He wants to lick you all over your face.”

“I want to meet your wolf too,” she said, curious to find out what Reed’s animal looked like.

“That can happen later,” Silas said, tightening his hold on her hand a little. “I’m having a hard time holding back my instinct to share souls now that you’ve agreed.”

“Will it hurt?” she asked. “I still want to do it even if it hurts, but I’d like to know.”

“No pain. It will feel a little strange, but that’s all,” Silas promised. “You’re going to close your eyes and think about how much you love us.”

She nodded her head once and closed her eyes. She felt the bed dip and then Idris’s large body was pressed against her back.

“I won’t let go,” he promised.

There was more movement, and Reed’s head was back in her lap. “It’ll feel amazin’ after it’s all over.”

Even though she believed Silas, she was still a little scared and appreciated the men’s reassurance.

“Shhh,” Silas shushed them as she felt an odd pressure slip inside her chest. It was as if something was being tugged out of her. As Silas has said, it felt strange.

When the tugging stopped, she sucked in a breath. It felt like there was a hole in her and something was pouring out. Then something warm was being pushed into her. Heat spread out from her chest and the hole disappeared.

Nothing was pouring out of her anymore. She was overwhelmed with the new sensations pouring in.

Sound filled her ears: birds chirping outside, cars on a far-off street, trash trucks, and a timer going off in the kitchen downstairs.

It wasn’t only her ears that were affected. Her sense of smell had never been great, but now the spicy masculine scents of the men filled her nose.

The most prominent of the new feelings were the ones flowing across her mind. She knew they were coming from the men but couldn’t parse out what was originating from who. Maybe she’d learn who was who later, but right now, all that mattered was the clear message she was getting: love, caring, and adoration.

“It’s done,” Silas murmured, leaning close to kiss her closed eyes. Tears slipped free as she opened them to find Silas still right in front of her.

“I can feel the three of you,” she whispered. “I never thought I’d feel so much love. I’m glad I didn’t wait a second longer.”

A swell of happiness hit her. “We’re gonna make you s-s-so happy,” Reed said, stuttering slightly. She didn’t feel any mocking coming from any of them, only curiosity. With a puzzled expression, Reed sat up and tried again. “S-s-s-so h-h-h-appy? What’s g-g-g-oin’ on?”

“You sound like Cassi,” Idris said at the same time Cassi came to a horrible realization.

“I g-g-g-gave you my s-s-s-stutter!” she said with a gasp, tears pouring from her eyes. “I’m so s-s-s-sorry! Please don’t hate me.”

To her shock, a huge smile formed on Reed’s face. “I l-l-love it! I g-g-get to have p-p-part of you in me!”

She felt happiness from everyone and amusement from two.

“We don’t see your stutter as anything but charming,” Silas said.

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