Page 64 of Cursed by Death

Guard me? Did he really just say that? What the hell was he talking about? My father had said nothing about this to me. “Umm, Rym? What exactly is it that you volunteered for?” I had a feeling that I was not going to like his answer.

“What are you talking about?” I asked him and I didn’t even try to keep the frustration out of my voice.

I was tired and sick of being in this place. Sick of learning new things that I maybe didn’t want to know in the first place.

“Didn’t Johnathon tell you anything?”

My father had told me a lot of things but apparently not nearly enough. I should have gone back into his office and demanded an explanation from the man himself but I didn’t think I’d emotionally survive being in his presence again. Not any time soon.

I sighed and fought the urge to rub at my forehead because I felt a headache coming on. “He didn’t say anything about guards or volunteers, that’s for damn sure.”

“Hmm…” Rym murmured as he eyed me carefully. He gestured down the hallway with his hand to where the twins stood, waiting for us. “Come, let’s get you out of here. Your companions look like they’re done here for the night and it’s really not in their best interest to be lingering down here. Their safety cannot be guaranteed. You should not bring them back with you the next time you visit. If you require an escort you are familiar with I would suggest you bring the wolf Prince with you.”

It was not lost on me at all that he didn’t answer my questions. But I agreed with him on everything else that he’d said.

We started walking down the hallway again.

I knew it wasn’t smart to bring the twins down here because it was putting them in danger. I had also known that they wouldn’t tell me no and that had been why I’d asked them in the first place. It had been incredibly reckless of me to bring them down here. After their insane conversation in the parking lot I actually felt guilty for asking them.

That didn’t mean I was ready to forgive and forget so I could welcome them back into my life. I wasn’t ready for anything likethat. I might never be ready to welcome them back into my life. We weren’t the same children that we were all those years ago.

There were too many lies and secrets between us now.

Everybody was quiet and stared at us as we walked through the main space again. It was incredibly uncomfortable to be the center of attention for all of these people.

One of the shifters was bold enough to step out of the crowd and into our path, stopping our little party in our tracks. The demon beside me tensed and I could actually feel the air around me shift as it filled with his energy, his power.

“Be cool, Rym,” I whispered to him. “You’re leaking everywhere and you might want to rein it in. The wolves mean me no harm. I don’t know how they feel about the rest of you but they have no quarrel with me.”

The shifter nodded his head towards me. “You are correct, mate to my Prince. We mean you no harm. To harm you would be harming Rally, and that can carry a death sentence for us. We wish to know that you’re okay and you’re safe. I would like to offer you my aid, if you need it.”

Did he just say a death sentence? I had so many questions but I didn’t think it wise to be asking them here. I’d wait and ask Hunter later, he was always a forthcoming well of information.

Still, this was very sweet of him to be concerned for me.

“What’s your name?” I asked him.

“Reese.”

“Well, thank you, Reese. I appreciate the offer. I’m perfectly safe though and will be leaving this place now. You don’t have to concern yourself with me, okay.”

That last bit did not come out right and I winced, hoping he didn’t take it the wrong way.

“As long as you are mated to my Prince you will always be my concern. You get home safely and next time you come here you should make sure to have your guards with you.”

There was that talk of guards again. Both the wolves and the demons wanted to guard me now. I wanted no part of any of it.

I thanked him and we continued on our way towards the exit. But I felt his eyes burning into my back the entire way.

Chances were high that Rally had already heard about my little late night adventure. Poor Fox had probably already gotten an earful and would be up waiting for me when I got home, like an angry parent.

I hadn’t had to deal with that in my teenage years, I’d never snuck out of the house before. I absolutely did not want to have to deal with it as an adult.

I was going to chafe at any kind of restrictions placed on me. All I knew was the freedom of being alone, and I relished in it.

Rym walked me all the way to the parking lot and my car. All of us just stood there staring at each other and it was awkward for me.

“Um…” I mumbled. “So, I’m gonna go home now. Thanks for coming with me, guys.” I was including all three of them in that statement.

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