Page 17 of Shadow

The last thing I expected was for him to block the hit. That was before he landed a solid hit back on me. I stumbled back as he squared up, a hard look on his face.

He wanted to play.

Perfect.

So did I.

We launched ourselves at one another, fists flying. He was good. He landed hit after hit, but so did I, both of us exchanging blows and knocking shit over and breaking it in the process. A lamp crashed and shattered. I launched for a piece of glass, ready to carve his ass like a Thanksgiving Day turkey. His eyes flashed as he backed away; I twirled the glass elaborately between my fingers, only death in my eyes.

Sirena tugged on my arm, trying to get me to stop. When I didn’t, she released me, ran to Bryce, and got in front of him.

“Move, angel,” I called out, glaring at the prick behind her.

She stared me down, begging with her colorful eyes for me to stop.

Sirena was new to my rage. There was never any stopping me.

Bryce must have sensed that because he pushed her away. She landed on the couch. That was all it took. I threw the heavy shard of glass, aiming for his heart. I was good at throwing sharp objects. It was an impressive talent of mine. When one couldn’t beat a motherfucker with their fists, they needed alternative methods. This was mine. I’d spent hours as a kid throwing knives, glass, and anything sharp and deadly I could get my hands on. Everett used to praise me for my abilities.

Someday, I planned on sending one of my sharp objects straight through his fucking skull.

My shard should have met flesh and bone and sent him to an early grave. Instead, he stepped aside so fast that he was a blur.

I stared in confusion as he caught the shard. Without hesitation, he flung it back at me with just as much precision and deadly force as I’d done to him. My reflexes kicked in, and I dodged the throw. The shard spiraled through the living room as Church opened the patio door to step inside.

I let out a shout as the shard whizzed past his head, missing him by just a fraction, and embedded in the wall next to him.

He stopped and stared stupidly at us for a moment before looking at the glass stuck in the plaster. His green eyes slowly moved from the shard to the mess in the living room from our fight before they landed on Sirena, who had slid off the couch and onto her ass on the floor, tears streaking down her cheeks.

I swallowed hard as I took her in, the anger leaving me as I realized I’d lost it in front of her.

Without hesitation, Church rushed across the room and went to her, scooping her into his arms and bringing her back to his chair. There, he held her, whispering things to her I couldn’t hear.

I stared at them, a lump in my throat.

“That went well,” Asylum said, clearing his throat. “Shadow, a word? Outside. And…” Asylum cast his gaze around to land on Church and Sirena. “Probably at my place. Come.” Asylum moved quickly across the room and pushed Bryce to the door.

I glared at Bryce, desperate to get one last hit on him. I even made to step forward, that familiar surge of fury bubbling up within me again.

“Malachi,” Church growled.

I stopped and ground my teeth.

Asylum pushed Bryce out of the house and turned back to me.“Don’t dare tempt fate in the Shadow that you hate. He is more like you than he is like me. In the fists and blood, you’ll likely see. Not sweet like sugar, but violent like murder. A surprise, for sure.Have a good night, Watchers.” And with those words, he departed, taking Bryce with him.

I stared at the closed door for a long time, dragging deep, calming breaths into my lungs. Finally, I turned and took in the mess I’d made, namely Sirena in Church’s lap, her face buried in his neck as he held her.

My heart sank. The last thing I wanted was for her to be mad at me.

Slowly, I approached, fell to my knees in front of Church, and reached for her. I thought she’d tell me to go to hell or shove me away. Instead, she came to me easily, winding her arms around my neck as she sat on Church’s lap.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to her. “For scaring you. He pissed me off, and I lost it. You’re my girl. I didn’t like him touching you.”

“I’ll do better,” she answered, her voice so small and soft that I wouldn’t have heard her if her lips weren’t at my ear. “I’m sorry.”

I breathed out and locked eyes with Church, who stared back at me, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.

He was pissed. I was sure we’d have it out after Sirena went to bed.

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