Page 118 of Court of Evil

“It’s my battle makeup,” I whine.

“I’ll help.” Jarek leans over, and magic slides across my face. A mirror appears, showing me my perfectly done makeup. I look like I normally do, only better. “As an apology.”

“Apology for what?” Tate’s voice is deadly cold, and I swear the room drops two degrees.

“I accidentally touched—” Jarek begins before I shove an apple in his mouth to silence him.

“Touched her?” Tate rises. “What did I say would happen if you did?”

His eyes widen, but he sits and accepts his fate, so I shove him from the chair. “Run, you fool, while we calm her down.”

Shamus wraps himself around Tate as she pulls a dagger, and I spread my arms, blocking her as Jarek rushes away. “It was an accident. No! Not the sword!”

We eventually calm her down, but she’s glaring daggers at a very sad looking Jarek. It’s especially worrying since she’s strapped to high heaven with weapons. When she goes to grab a blade, Ronan snatches it. “I’ll hold this for you.” He shoves it in a bag he appears with. She doesn’t look away from Jarek as she grabs for her shotgun. “And this.”

By the time she’s done, the bag is filled with weapons, and Jarek is even more pale.

“It was an accident, babe,” I murmur as I step in front of her, stroking my hands down her shirt and straightening it under her jacket.

“I warned them,” she hisses.

“And he apologized.” I grip her chin and drag her gaze to mine. Her eyes are so cold, I swear I feel frostbite, but I don’t back down. This is a hunter’s gaze, not a lover’s, but the fact that her anger is on my behalf makes me want to kiss the shit out of her, so I do. When I pull back, the ice has melted slightly. “He also broke the fingers he brushed my hand with as an apology. Let it go. Accidents will happen. I trust them, Tate, because you do. Don’t punish him like this. Look at the man, he appears ready to gut himself on an altar for you.”

She glances at Jarek and sighs deeply.

“We need to work as one, not fight each other. Now go apologize for threatening him with the dagger . . . and the sword . . . and the flamethrower.”

“No.” She huffs.

“Now,” I order. “Or else I will never let you touch me again.” She gapes at me, and I point at Jarek. “Go.”

Muttering to herself, she marches his way. “I am sorry for throwing the knife at you. And for using my sword. And for threatening to obliterate you with a flamethrower.” Each word is pulled from deep inside her, and I have to bite my lips to hide my smile as she glances at me. I give her an encouraging thumbs up, and she looks back at him. “Fang tells me it was an accident, and I trust you. I know you wouldn’t do it on purpose. I just didn’t like the idea that she was hurt. I reacted badly. I’m sorry.”

“It’s me who’s sorry,” he murmurs, staring at her like she’s the entire fucking world. I get it, I do. Tate has that effect on people. I can’t imagine my life without her now. She’s helping fill the hole my brother left behind, and it’s never boring at her side. “It was a genuine accident, but I will do better.” He drops to hisknees, a sword appearing across his raised hands. “If you wish, you can cut off my hands so I may never do it again.”

She grips the blade, inspecting it, and I start to worry, but she suddenly presses it to her chest and kneels before him. “Then you have the right to carve out my heart for doubting you. You have stood by me with nothing but loyalty and a helping hand. I never should have doubted you or your intentions. I truly am sorry, Jarek.”

They stare at each other for a moment, and I grip Tem at my side and turn him around to give them privacy. I do peek back, though, to see their hands in each other’s hair, their foreheads pressed together before they kiss softly.

“Eight out of ten, use more tongue!” Ronan calls, and the sword flies right through where he was. “Angel!” he yells. “You’ll pay for that later.”

She snorts, and when we turn around, she’s holding Jarek’s hand and he’s smiling widely. “Alright, enough playing around. Are we ready?”

“We are now.” Shamus steps back into the room in full hunting gear, something I’ve never seen him in.

Her eyes widen, and she’s speechless for once. “What? You cannot go with us,” she murmurs. “You’re needed here?—”

“We will be gone and back before they know it. Besides, this man is dangerous?—”

“And I can look after myself?—”

“I know you can,” he assures her. “But I need to sharpen my skills. Not all of us are as good of a warrior as you, angel. Some of us have been sitting behind desks as you so helpfully reminded me. I’d be honoured if you would let me join your hunt.”

She stares at him for a moment before groaning. “I’m in charge.”

“Just how I like it.” He winks, and I groan in disgust.

“Fine. Zeev,” she calls, and a portal appears. “Remember, he’s very dangerous,” she warns us, “and his hatred for monsters is all that drives him. He will kill you if he has a chance. Don’t give him one.” She steps through the portal.

---