Page 5 of Laid Bare

“You don’t want to do this, Titus.” Hudson’s voice comes out in a half snarl, half growl, as his sharp claws flex against my hips.

A sneer curls Titus’ lips, but that’s all the reaction he has to Hudson’s words.

Quick as a flash, Titus makes his decision and darts forward, latching painfully onto my shoulders. The moment Titus tries to pry me from Hudson’s grip, a blur slams into him, taking him to the ground, his sharp dragon claws raking across my bare flesh. My cries of pain are drowned out by the furious hissing and deathly growls erupting from the grappling pair. Their bodies slow, and it’s then I notice the hissing is coming from my mate—Axel.

My breath whooshes out at the sight of him, but I don’t dare call out. That’s a surefire way to distract him from the fight at hand. And if he dies because of me… I might as well join him. Without my mates, I’m nothing. I know that now. Luka and Axel have shown in every way possible what I mean to them, and if I lose either one of them, there’s no reason to keep living.

Vivid red blood sprays across the once-pristine marble floor, Axel’s claws ensuring damage against the dragon. Others try to intervene, but they’re sent sprawling across the hall as Titus shoves them back.

Another fight not far off catches my attention, my breath hitching at the fierce glower on Luka’s face as he fights harder against the ones holding him at bay. Pressure builds in the gala hall, and thunder rattles the walls. A perfect omen that Luka is about to unleash hell upon those keeping him from his mate.

Supernaturals push and shove against each other, whether it’s to join in the two separate fights or to get away from the power building around the space, I’m not sure. But others aren’t having it.

Hudson pulls me flush against his warm body, curling over the top of me protectively as bodies slam into his back from the numerous confrontations. Marion and her guys haven’t made another appearance for which I’m grateful. My hope is that they got her as far from here as possible, so she doesn’t get hurt. Again.

My friend. The one person who stood by my side, even as I lied to her face, got hurt. Because of me. Because of what I am. It’s official. I’m a horrible friend. I should have told her. Opened up to her about who and what I am. But fear held me immobile, much like it is right now. I have to hope that she’ll let me explain if I make it out of this alive.

A hot, viscous liquid hits me square in the face, but before I can lift a finger to find out what it is, a loud voice rings out above the pandemonium.

“Stop!”

One booming word. That’s all it takes.

Everything—thefight, the shouts, all of it—stops, and heads swivel once again toward the dais at the raised voice of one of the previously silent councilman’s words.

“This is nonsense. Everyone, back away from Miss Foss.”

The crowd’s displeasure is palatable in the air, but thank the Gods they listen, creating a death circle once more with me directly in the middle. Luka throws the last person off him and runs to my side, immediately erecting a shield around us, protecting me from anyone that may decide to say screw his words and attack once again.

Axel is breathing hard in front of me, his tuxedo ripped to shreds with blood coating his body. He walks straight through the shield and pulls me into his arms, careful of the injuries on my shoulders, and holds me tight. The tension in my body disappears instantly now that I’m in the arms of my mate. One of them at least.

But it doesn’t last long.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the disembodied voice of the head councilman rends the air, lashing out with a force that could have knocked me to the floor if it wasn’t for the strong arms holding me up.

Axel turns me around, keeping his arms around me as Luka takes up the other side of me, entwining our fingers.

Gasps fly from all directions as another councilman steps forward and slips his hood down off his head, giving us an unencumbered view of the man underneath. By the sounds of the others, I’m guessing this isn’t something that’s ever happened before.

“You heard me. This is absolute nonsense. I stayed quiet when you condemned them all to death the first time. But no more. How are we any better than them by doing this?” His head swivels toward the irate head councilman as my mouth drops open, and I gape at him, unable to form any words.

A council member is… sticking up for me.

Glancing around, I find that I’m not the only one staring at the man with his hood down, so besides showing his face, this also must be unheard of.

Dissension in the ranks is the first thought that comes to mind. While that helps in my favor for the moment, it’ll hinder me more than help. My presence alone is enough to tear apart the council that’s been instated for the last fifty years, and that’s dangerous.

“We can’t kill with a single thought!” the head councilman booms, his voice echoing around the silent hall.

Kill with a single thought?I can't even do that, so what is he going on about?

“And who says Miss Foss can? You know as well as I do that every curiomancer is different,” he tsks, shaking his head. “What will her death prove? Absolutely nothing. It won’t bring him back, Head Councilman. So, it’s time to end your vengeance.”

Harsh inhales and whispers ring out, causing the head councilman to stumble back like he’s been slapped.

I’m so damn lost. All I know from the councilman’s words is that something happened, and curiomancers have been paying for it ever since.

“You have no right to speak of him like that! Silence yourself immediately!”

---