Page 13 of Reaper

Reaper laughed and although she knew she overreacted, it took her several seconds to fix her mistake.She lowered the shifter gently on to the floor and released him from her hold.Before she could focus, he stood in front of her.

Surprised, she jerked back.

Before her head slammed against the wall, the stranger’s arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground, laughing as he squeezed her to him tightly.She forced her body to relax, knowing he was a friend of Reaper’s, but tensed when a frightening and guttural growl ripped through the air.

The shifter who held her froze.With careful movements, he lowered her to her feet and stepped back with his hands outstretched, showing he meant no harm.The man kept his eyes on Reaper while he backed toward the glass structure.When he spoke, it was in a low and calming tone.“I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Reaper reached out and wrapped a hand around her upper arm before he pulled her close.He tucked her to his side and draped his arm around her shoulders, while still glaring at the other shifter.

She smoothed her hand against his chest, hoping to calm the fierceness of his stance.She had no idea whether she succeeded.

“Gunnar didn’t mean anything by the hug, Reaper,” a soft voice interceded.

Reaper turned with Ara still firmly in his arms to face the woman who she’d been concerned about, despite Reaper’s reassurances.Ara sucked in a sharp breath as her eyes scanned the woman, moving to her arms, hands, and then back up to her face.

“You’re really okay,” Ara breathed.

The woman laughed.“I am.I’m Liv.It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m Ara.”

Liv pulled her from Reaper’s arms and she went willingly into a hug that made her feel safe and relaxed.The smell of lemongrass and green apple surrounded her, and she couldn’t help the smile that grew on her face.She wasn’t used to such affection.She’d already had more hugs in that short space of time than in her entire life.Liv pulled back and smiled at her.

“Kai,” Liv indicated the vampire who walked from the lab to pull her close, “turned me because my injuries were too severe.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him in time,” Ara said.

“It wasn’t your fault.None of this is your fault.Besides, I’m fine now.”Liv paused while she glanced at Ara, taking in her gaunt appearance.“I’m glad that Reaper found you.You had us worried.”

Warmth and an unknown sensation wrapped around her.She blinked to prevent the tears from falling, and she cleared her throat to give herself a little time to get her emotions in order.

“Hasn’t Reaper fed you?”

Ara blushed but answered.“I’m grateful to him for everything he’s done.”

Something flashed in Reaper’s eyes but before she could say more, Gunnar moved in front of her.Her face flushed red because his movements had startled her, again, and she jumped before she could control it.

“How did you do that?” Gunnar asked.

Her brows drew down in thought for a long moment.Her eyes widened as she realized his meaning, and she choked back a groan as she remembered how hard she had slammed him against the wall.“I’m so sorry if I hurt you.It’s a knee-jerk reaction for me.”

Gunnar waved her apology away but continued to gaze at her with curiosity.Reaper’s words pulled Gunnar away from his probe.

“She is telekinetic.We’ve worked on a list of possibilities, but I have a feeling that we’ve only touched the surface.She is very powerful and I think that’s why they captured her in the first place.On top of that, I think it’s rare for any human to have any talent that is classified as supernatural, and they thought they could manipulate her to do their bidding,” Reaper answered.

“But I couldn’t shift,” Gunnar said.

She glanced at Reaper and a silent communication passed.She was a bit overwhelmed by the situation, so he explained about her time with the shifters at Standard.

She had been so focused on Gunnar and Liv that she didn’t realize that the room had started to fill with a mix of shifters and vampires, all staring at her even though she hadn’t been the one speaking.Without realizing her actions and what they signified to the group, she stepped closer to Reaper and found her back pressed against his chest.She relaxed when he wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her flush against him.

In the safety of Reaper’s arms, she glanced around at the group gathered around them and sucked in a breath.She had known that the immortals were physical specimens, but the men who surrounded her were stunning.

Her eyes were torn away from the group when a woman raced down the stairs and jumped into Liv’s arms.Ara sensed that the new woman was a shifter, and the first thing that stood out was her auburn hair.It was beautiful.She was beautiful.The woman must’ve sensed Ara’s gaze on her because she leapt from Liv’s arms and stepped closer.

“Jade.”Reaper’s voice rumbled against her back.

When Jade took another step, his arms tightened around her as his roar echoed through the silence.

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