Page 33 of Shadow Bonds

“But—” I hear Robin start, but he must have given her a look because she grows quiet really quick.

Shuffles of feet move away from me, but one pair moves closer.

“Next time you don’t listen to me, I’ll leave you more than a little broken,” Dick grits out.

I still can’t to tell him to go fuck himself, and after a moment, he leaves me alone in my silence and agony.

Another few minutes pass before I can actually move. And when I do, I realize how much of a beating I actually took.

I groan, crawling to my hands and knees while realizing he must have some type of paralyzing ability.

He knew I was going to give him a run for his money, so he cheated instead.

Pain shoots up through my body as I get to my feet. I limp my way through the forest to my hidden spot of food. Finding it untouched and still safely in its container, I sit down with a groan and wolf it down while trying to assess the worst of my injuries.

Nothing seems to be broken, but my ankle is definitely sprained. I’ve a nasty bruise on my right ribs and some more sprinkled over the rest of my body. But apart from some shallow cuts here and there, everything else is good.

A spike of aggravation slashes through me, and I know it’s not mine. I draw down the barrier between me and Knox—thinking he’ll be the only one who won’t be able to figure out what state I’m in—and roll my eyes when I instantly hear him.

“Where are you?”he growls.

“Getting my nails done,”I reply with a smirk.

“Sena...”he warns. I guess he’s no humor for games.

“What happens if I don’t spend time with you all,”I ask him, wondering if I can just hide out here for the night and forgo the embarrassment of them seeing me after I got my ass kicked. They’d probably just laugh about it making me feel even shittier.“Will you really hulk out?”

“If I have to hunt you down?—”

I sigh. “I’m honestly just asking. I want to know if you’re all just fucking with me. I have no one to talk about this stuff, and you’re all assholes that like to play games. So, is this another one of your games or do youactuallyneed me?”

I feel him pause before reluctantly answering.“Yes,”he hisses. “We need you… close by.”

Close by…I glance down at the blood on my body and the cuts and bruises and my stomach churns.

I don’t know why I’m so worried about them seeing me like this. It’s not like they really care. I’m just there to help them stay calm.

“Fine. I’m on my way,”I tell him.

“You—”

“And don’t even think about asking me to train with any of you.”Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, fucking shame on me. It wasn’t happening a third time.

He chuckles as if sensing my change in mood.“Hurry up.”

Getting up with a groan, I start my trek back to the house while every ache and pain makes itself known. Opening the door, I head inside but freeze when I see all four of them still up, standing around waiting.

They all freeze when they spot me, and the atmosphere in the room quickly changes, becoming tense and full of rage.

“Who. TheFuck. Hurt. You?” Malakai bites out.

I laugh, not really feeling one bit of humor. “Oh, I got my ass kicked. Thought you’d be happier about it.” I run a hand down my face and avoid looking at any of them and their intense stare downs. “I’m heading to bed.” I start limping by them when Theon steps in front of me.

“Who?” he asks, and I glance up to find his teal blue eyes darkening with rage and murder.

“Why does it matter?” I ask with a frown.

“No one gets to fucking touch you!” he growls.

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