Page 14 of Shadow

Igroaned as a warm hand gave me a gentle shake. Blearily, I stared through slitted eyelids to see Ashes peering down at me.

“Hey, get home and get some sleep,” he murmured.

I lifted my head off Sin’s mattress after resting my head on it while sitting in my chair. My back was aching, and I was beyond exhausted. Despite my hatred of everything about this place, I wasn’t going to abandon Sin when he needed me. I needed to deal with my shit and not make it everyone else’s problem. It wasn’t fair to anyone else if I couldn’t pull my weight.

“I’ll stay?—”

“Malachi, go home. I got this,” Ashes said firmly.

I sighed and got to my feet, but not before I looked down at Sin, who was sleeping peacefully. We’d talked for a little bit before he’d fallen asleep. Mostly, he’d been drugged up because his pain seemed to be worse tonight. Under the influence of all the pain meds, he’d spoken.

His garbled words haunted me.

“I didn’t want to, Malachi. Fuck, I didn’t. I didn’t. I need her. I’ve never needed anyone in my life like I need Siren. Please. Please…”

Then he’d whispered Sirena’s name amid a soft sob before drifting off.

“Doc came in and said he might go home this week if his pain lessens and his breathing improves. His oxygen dropped today, but he was in a lot of pain,” I said, shaking Sin’s words clear of my head so I could focus.

“I hope he gets to come home soon,” Ashes murmured, taking the seat I vacated.

“Has Sirena said anything today about… you know?” I shifted awkwardly on my feet, my hands in my pants pockets.

“Not really,” he mumbled. “She’s upset about Sin and Cady. Worried. I guess I should make that clear.”

I nodded. “I get it. I’m worried, too.”

“Yeah?” Ashes looked at me.

“Yeah, man. He sort of talked about it after he got his second dose of pain meds. I-I think something major happened. I really hope he wasn’t forced to fuck her, but I honestly think he was.” My words came out in a rushed mumble, their impact making my guts churn.

“Fucking hell.” Ashes rubbed his temples. “It’s just another bump in the road. Everything will work out.” He repeated that for a few seconds before he pulled his lighter out and began flipping it in his ritual of five.

“Are you OK here?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll burn this fucking place to the ground before I let anyone get hurt,” he said, his blue eyes locking on mine. “I’ve been itching to do it for years, so all they need to do is step out of line for just a moment, and I’ll send this place up like the Fourth of July.”

I gave him a tired smile, knowing he would.

“Go,” he said, returning the smile. “Get some sleep. I’ll make sure Sin is safe.”

I backed away and went to the door. He waved me off, and I walked out into the hall before leaving the building.

I hadn’t made it ten steps before two people sidled up next to me, sandwiching me between them.

“Nice night for a walk,” Asylum said cheerfully.

“Bit cold,” I muttered, my breath puffing out in a small white cloud.

“Could be worse,” he answered. “Right, Shadow?”

I glanced over at Bryce to see him in all black. I never saw him in anything but his preppy clothes, but tonight he looked like he was ready to fight the fucking night.

He was an enigma.

And my girl wanted him.

I fucking hated that.

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