Page 22 of Dead

“Everything,” Noah answered.

“Considering he’s heading the team that’s destroying the illegal portals, he needs to know what Eilam knows,” Valen said.

Adriel turned and stared at Noah, ire rising in his blood. “I told Eilam you were not to be on that team.”

Noah frowned. “Why’s that?”

Because I couldn’t have both of you in my presence. Yet he hadn’t laid eyes on Noah so far…

Explains why the reports haven’t been as thorough as usual. Eilam had been hiding something from him. Were there other things the bear shifter hid from him? “You’re the one responsible for the recent closure of the portals? I saw the reports come across my desk. Five in one day… that was… impressive.”

“My team is responsible… and potentially the cause for this attack,” Noah said. “We struck them, so perhaps they had to strike back.”

“That’s an interesting theory,” Valen murmured.

Adriel stared at Noah. Another protector. Working to keep Midnight safe.

Yet here they were, with one of them struck down. “You were doing as I asked. The portals need to be closed down. If anyone is to blame, it’s me,” Adriel said.

A scream sounded from the hallway.

The crashes of a fight outside filtered into the room.

A blast of magic knocked the room’s door across the room, and knocked both Valen and Theis off their feet until it smashed into the outside window. The twinkling of glass sounded as another assassin covered in black stepped into the room, smoke swirling around him.

Adriel lifted his hands and flung a ball of energy at the assassin—who dodged it. He drew more power into his palms and took a step closer, as did the assassin. They both fired at the same time. Adriel and the assassin were both knocked off their feet.

Three roars filled the room.

A bear raced past him and leapt onto the assassin, just as both Valen and Theis closed in.

The glimmer of claws glinted before the paw swept down and sliced through the attacker.

Adriel scented the coppery odor of blood and climbed to his feet. The huge bear breathed heavily as it hovered above the lifeless assassin.

The king stared at Noah in his bear form, shocked by the animalistic side to the male. The bear turned to face him, bright eyes illuminated. Heat slammed into Adriel.

My protector.

Adriel shoved the emotion aside, focusing on the assassin.

Theis ripped the mask off the attacker, and Adriel could see the red slash along the male’s neck. Blood flowed steadily from the deadly wound Noah had made. The king stepped closer, getting a better look at the man’s face. “I don’t recognize him. I know all the witches and warlocks in Midnight.”

Valen lifted the attacker’s top lip.

Fangs.

“Another one,” Theis said.

Adriel moved to the door and saw both Cannon and Garretson were knocked out, but breathing. Small wounds were already beginning to heal over their hands and faces. A few nurses were already checking them over, so Adriel turned back to Theis and Noah—who had returned to his human form.

His naked human form.

Adriel averted his eyes, looking at Eilam lying silently in the bed. Unfazed and unmoved by what had transpired only feet away from him.

What if the assassin had further wounded him? What if Noah had been hurt?

Two attacks. One so brazen, right after the other. He’d never encountered anything like it… He didn’t know how to protect himself.

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