Page 36 of Shadow Bonds

“Fourtattoos,” he says, talking to me like I’m a two-year-old. “Two on each side.”

I ignore his shitty attitude and glance back at the tattoos to really look at them. There’s a small break between each of the intricate swirls, but they blend so well you would never notice it.

“Explain,” I demand. They obviously know what’s going on. They might not be happy about it. But I deserve to know when I’m the one involved. “I have a right to know. It’smybody.” Technically.

“They’re ours.” Malakai releases a harsh sigh before lifting his top and revealing a mirror image of half of the tattoo on my right side. “It means you’re our…” he pauses as if finding it hard to say it, “ourtruemate.”

I frown. “Truemate? I don’t understand. Is that different from a mate?” I glance between them, but none of the others look at me, instead finding my room and their clothes much more interesting. I glance back at Malakai and cut him a look, demanding he answer me.

He rolls his eyes at me. “It’s old ancient bond between mates that is extinct.” He frowns. “Was…”

Knox glances between the others. “We can’t tell anyone. If they find out she’s our…” He pauses as if unable to say it anymore, and all of their eyes veer to me and their faces pale.

“If you’re worried about me announcing I’m somehow more connected to you four than I want to be, then think again.” I never wanted to be connected to them in the first place.

“How? How is she…” Knox glances from Malakai to Cyrus looking for an answer. “How issheour fucking true mate! Off all people.Her?!”

I’m two seconds away from punching him in the face when he, Malakai, and Theon all send glares my way before stomping out of the room like children having a temper tantrum. All annoyed at meagainfor something completely out of my control.

So fucking dramatic.

Something brushes against my side, and I jolt, forgetting Cyrus is still in the room.

“Do you want me to take you to the healing center?” he asks with a soft look on his face.

“I’ll be fine. You can leave.” I turn to move toward the bathroom when he stops me.

“No, I can’t. You don’t realize how bad this is. Dreams don’t do what yours did unless someone makes them. They could kill you.”

I flinch back, but he drags me closer and runs his hands down my arms.

Warmth seeps into my body and every pain and ache slowly disappears. I glance down at my thigh to find no claw marks or even a scar, just dried blood from where it once was. All my bruises and cuts are also gone from the fight with Instructor Dick. And my sprained ankle is completely healed.

I glance up at him. “How?—”

Cyrus’ shocked expression finds mine. “I was told that true mates can heal one another. But I didn’t know if I could do it, I just hoped I could.”

His eyes search mine, and there’s something that draws me to him. But he can’t be here. Not when I’m feeling this… fragile.

“Thank you for healing me.” I clear my throat and take a step back. “But you should go.”

“You’re vulnerable,” Cyrus says as if reading my thoughts. “And until we figure out who’s attacking you in your sleep or how we can stop it, one of us will have to stay with you until then.”

“How do we even know you can stop them from happening?” I ask while trying to come up with a way to get him to leave.

He shrugs. “Call it a hunch. But true mates are…” he searches my face for something and sighs, “they’re special.”

His eyes find mine, and I spot the hard glint in them. “I won’t let anything happened to you,” he promises, stunning me silent.

What am I supposed to say to that?

He searches my eyes again for something and nods to himself when he seems to have found what he’s looking for. “Wash the blood off and get changed. I’ll sort out the bedding.”

Realizing I’m not going to get him to leave, at least not tonight, I nod and give in, too tired to fight him on it.

One night. It’s justonenight.

Exhaustion sets in, feeling like I haven’t slept in days. Grabbing a fresh tee and shorts, I head toward the bathroom have one of the quickest showers I’ve ever had before getting dressed and heading to bed.

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