Page 160 of Devoted

I rushed in to take Harlow’s place just as Sam’s eyes flickered open properly. “Zeke?”

Relief bubbled up my throat, so thick I thought I might choke on it. “I’m here, baby. You’re okay.”

“What happened?” he said groggily, rubbing his eyes and wincing. “Why do I feel like I’ve been run over?”

“You were compelled again,” I said grimly. “I’m sorry, I should’ve asked you to stay in the room.”

“Not your fault,” he said drowsily. “Who knew there’d be a psychotic bitch with a scary smile hiding in the woods?”

Sam’s words set off a small explosion of noise. All around us, angels were cursing up a storm as my mate confirmed our fears.

Gloria had stepped over the line. Over our wards, in fact, and none of us had had any idea.

Benji hissed in frustration. “I don’t understand how the fuck she got past our wards. Or how we didn’t feel her cross them.”

“I can take a look if you like,” Harlow drawled, examining his nails. “Thanks to Daddy dearest, I’ve got some experience in wards being broken or overridden.”

Sam’s head snapped around. “You’re new.”

“Only to you, hun.” Harlow waggled his red nails at Sam. “Harlow at your service.”

“I like your nail polish,” Sam said eventually, like he wasn’t too sure what else to comment on. I got it—Harlow was a lot to take in, especially if you’d only just regained consciousness after having your brain fucked with for the second time in as many days.

“Thanks.” Harlow beamed at the compliment. “I chose red for the blood of my enemies and glitter to make them festive.”

“How lovely,” Sam said faintly.

“Harlow removed the compulsion,” I told Sam.

“And, judging by your reactions, far more efficiently than Ferry,” Harlow said nonchalantly, hopping up on the desk and swinging his legs. “Makes sense though. I’m better at almost everything.”

“So humble too,” Rami said with an eye-roll.

“Well I’ve been away from my mate for a few days.” He glanced back at Sam, directing his words towards him. “He keeps me grounded and sane. Really great quality if you have an unhinged supe mate.”

Sam stiffened, his gaze darting to me. “Unhinged?”

I nodded, answering his silent question. “Yes, Harlow’s reputation exceeds even my own.”

Sam reached for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine in quiet support. He knew who Harlow was to me. What he’d done.

Even if Harlow himself didn’t realise it.

I inhaled deeply before addressing the demon, my voice raw and honest. “Thank you, Harlow. I appreciate what you did for Sam.”

And what you did for me. The peace you gave me, without even knowing it.

“Anytime,” Harlow said breezily, hopping off the desk. “Bailey would’ve had my balls if I didn’t help. Speaking of my mate, I’d really like to get back to him this evening, so if you’d like me to help with the wards…”

“Absolutely.” Micah inclined his head. “We’d be very grateful. Benji, go with him and see what you can figure out between you. Nate and Theo, you go too. I want every ward stripped away and replaced. Key them specifically to Gloria. Nox, you add yours as well.”

Everyone nodded, filtering from the room as Micah continued to issue orders. “Grace, Rami, and Breann, set up a mile-wide perimeter. The last thing we need is a supe taking advantage of our wards being down, even if only temporarily.”

That left just myself, Sam, Noah, and Micah. The latter smiled at Sam sadly. “I’m sorry we’ve failed you, Sam.”

Sam’s brow crinkled. “You haven’t failed me.”

“We have,” Micah said. “You were hurt on our watch, and that’s unacceptable. Don’t worry though, we won’t let it happen again.” He nodded at Noah. “The two of us are going to stand guard at the outer door until the wards are in place. Sam, when you feel ready, if you could tell Ez anything you can remember, it might really help us out.”

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