Page 6 of Laid Bare

If anything, the councilman sticking up for me puffs up even bigger at the attempt to be silenced before tossing his cloak from his body like the fabric offended him somehow. A quick flash of light blinds me, white spots obscuring my vision, and after a few quick blinks, my vision finally clears. A gasp tears from my lips at the man before me.

Gorgeous, white fluffy wings expand from behind the councilman, stretching toward the high ceilings. The ambient lighting of the room causes the feathers to shimmer, almost as if they’re laced with silver. At this point, I wouldn’t doubt they were with how little I know of angels.

Because that’s what he is. An angel. My… guardian angel. I shake my head. Guardian angels are a human myth, one we were taught were looking over us to keep us safe. And while that rings true in this situation, he’s not my anything.

“I will not, Dirk.” The angel casts his gaze over the crowd before returning his attention to the head councilman. “We’ve followed your decree about curiomancers long enough. Your son is not coming back. And no matter how many curiomancers you sentence, it won’t change that he’s dead. It’s been twenty years. It’s time to end this madness.”

“Madness?” the disembodied voice chuckles, the sound harsh in the quiet of the room. “You would do the same if it was your son!” he booms.

“No.” The angel shakes his head, his blond hair sweeping over his shoulders with the movement. “All you’ve done is take advantage of your position. You are self-serving and undeserving of your status.”

It’s so damn silent you could hear a pin drop with how everyone is hanging on the words exchanged between the councilmen.

The head councilman—or well, Dirk, I guess—sweeps his hooded face over the crowd, briefly stopping on our group, but quickly turns away toward the angel again.

“Let’s discuss this.” He turns on his heel and heads toward the door behind the dais, disappearing from view. The other councilmen follow behind him, but the angel waits until they’ve all entered before stalking after them.

Before the door closes behind him, he turns back around. “Stay away from Miss Foss. If anyone goes against my word, youwillpay for it with your life.” Stunned silence meets his words as the door slams closed after his retreating form.

“Cor meum,” Axel’s husky murmur pulls my attention from the door behind the dais, where they are currently deciding my fate. “You need to heal yourself.”

I glance up over my shoulder, taking in the features of my mate, seeing the pain etched on his features from his own injuries. I know he’s right, but what right do I have to heal myself when he’s hurting too.

“Come, Goddess.” Luka pulls our little group through the throngs of people, who all shy away from the glowing shield still surrounding us. He takes us to an empty corner, away from the prying eyes of the supernaturals watching us warily. “Go ahead.”

Luka attempts to pull his hand free, but I clutch it tighter, needing the contact after the hell we’ve just been through. Snatching up Axel’s too, I cling to both of their hands like my life depends on it and close my eyes, focusing on the healing rune on my chest.

Magic floods my body, centering on my chest, and I grit my teeth as I feel the skin on my shoulders slowly knit themselves back together.

A cry of terror shocks me out of my concentration, my eyes snapping open to the fearful stares pointed in my direction. The glow of the rune between my breasts seems to be where their attention is, but my magic still seems to be working as the burning in my shoulders continues.

Moments later, the pain subsides as my magic burrows back behind my heart, but it’s the quick intakes of breaths on both sides of me that draws my attention away from the stares.

“Cor meum, how?” My gaze collides with Axel’s ruby orbs, a question resting in his eyes. It’s then I notice that his injuries to his handsome face have disappeared. I almost break my neck whipping my head toward Luka, seeing the marks and bruises from his own scuffle have disappeared too.

My lips tilt in a small smile, and my sarcasm returns, if only for a moment. “Magic?” I question with a shrug of my shoulders.

Both of my mates chuckle, but it immediately cuts off as a hulking shadow falls over us. My body tenses once again at the sight of Hudson in his monstrous form, unsure where he went after Luka and Axel finally had made it by my side. His silver orbs crash into my pink ones, but I avert my gaze and swallow hard knowing I need to thank him for protecting me.

“Thank you,” Luka murmurs, taking the words right out of my mouth. “If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Hudson’s eyes never leave mine, even as he replies, “She’s our mate. I would never let anything happen to her.” My lips pop open in a snarky retort, but he beats me to it. “Again.”

A group of people shove their way through the crowd not far from where we are standing, drawing my attention. Marion is front and center, a slight limp to her stride as she pushes people out of her way, her lips twisted in a sneer. Following behind her are the four guys who are always by her side, snarling and growling at anyone who seems to try to retaliate against her ministrations.

The surrounding people shy away from the five of them, the fight from earlier having fled their veins now that they’ve been ordered by the council to stay away. It won’t last long, though. I know the second the order is reinstated, the fire will be back.

Marion comes to a stop in front of me, her four guys fanning out at her sides. I bite my lip, shame coating my flesh at my continued lies. But that ends now.

“Mare-bear, I–”

“Save it, Bailey.” My heart clenches. The absence of her nickname for me hits harder than I expected. “Later.” I bite my lip, giving her a hesitant nod. I knew this was going to be the result; I just wish things were different. But I can’t and won’t hold it against her.

Marion and her four guys turn their backs on us, standing in line next to Hudson, and it’s then I realize she’s here to protect me. Again. Fuck. Even after lying and her getting hurt. She’s still protecting me. That’s a true friend, and I would be stupid not to try and fix our friendship. I’d kill for one of her hugs. Okay, maybe kill isn’t the best thing to say given the current situation, but damn.

I blink back tears once again, hating myself for how damn emotional this whole situation has made me. And I’m not talking about just tonight. My emotions have been all over the damn place since I found out I’m a supernatural. There’s no doubt in my mind people think I’m a freaking whiny baby. But I vow, here and now, to myself, that I’m done crying. I’m done letting everyone affect me this way. The only people that should are the ones closest to me.

I always thought I was thick-skinned before the damn waters of Neptune Lagoon. But I’ve learned that was a false lie I told myself. That changes now, though. I’m supposed to be this super-feared supernatural, not a weak, emotional mess. And that’s exactly what I’ll show them. That I’m strong. That I have my shit together. That I won’t cry overeverything.

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