Page 69 of Shadow Bonds

“It was similar to your tattoos when they glow but bright and they crawled all over my body. It felt like energy was building up under my skin and then it just… blasted out of me, knocking them a step back. When I looked at them, their eyes were no longer black, and they were just standing there, staring at me in shock.”

I glance at the four of them and realize they’re doing just that. All staring at me in shock. But that shock quietly morphs into something else, and they all move closer to me.

Malakai steps in front of me. “Show us your tattoos,” he demands, and I raise a brow.

“Please,” he grits out.

I roll my eyes but get to my feet and pull up my top. Glancing down at them, I see them exactly as they are since I got them.

A collective sigh rings out around the room, and I pause realizingwhythey wanted to see them.

They thought I added a few more men to my little harem.

“I don’t feel drawn to anyone but you four,” I tell them without thinking and wince when I see their smug smiles.

Exhaustion and hunger hit me all at once. But the exhaustion wins out. I don’t think I even have any food in my hidden spot anyway.

My hunger will have to wait until morning.

“I’m hungry, I’m going to bed,” I tell them before making a move toward the stairs.

Knox frowns at me. “Why are you going to bed if you’re hungry?”

“I’m not allowed touch the food here, and I’m too tired to head to the canteen this late. I don’t think it’s open anyway,” I say with a shrug. “It’s fine, I’ll find something in the morning.” I take another step but pause when I see them all freeze and stare at me in shock.

“We didn’t mean…” Malakai starts but stutters to a stop, shaking his head as if he’s in disbelief.

Knox frowns, looking so damn sad. “Shit… Sena…”

Cyrus looks absolutely devastated. “Wenever?—”

“That’s not what we meant,” Theon says with his hands clenched by his sides.

I glance around at them, wondering if I’m misunderstanding. I guess things have changed between us since they enacted that rule. But I know how hard it is to come by food. I didn’t want to take anymore from them then the other Sena already has.

“So… I can eat your food?” I ask, and my stomach grumbles even at the thought. “But?—”

“No fuckingbut. You want food, you eat it. There’s plenty to go around,” Malakai grits out, looking angry as hell now.

Ignoring his temper, I head to the kitchen, looking forward to throwing a quick sandwich together when Malakai stops me.

“Go sit down. I’ll make you something.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “This is all so you can poison me, isn’t it? I knew there would be a catch,” I joke, but it doesn’t even get a smile out of him. Or any of the others.

Shrugging it off, I head to the stairs, telling them I’m going to take a quick shower first.

They all nod but avoid looking at me. It’s not until I get to the top of the stairs, do I hear them speak in hushed whispers.

“Has anyone ever seen her eat here?” Knox asks.

“No,” Cyrus answers.

“She’s been here weeks,” Knox points out.

“And she looks like she’s lost weight too,” Malakai grits out.

Knox groans as if in pain. “Fuck…”

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