Page 5 of Guarded
I didn’t understand what he said—I’d been too busy spiralling to keep up. But his voice…His voice.It pulled at me, a physical tug in my chest. I was lurching before I could stop myself,a whimper falling from my lips.
He doesn’t want you.I forced myself to still. I was making a fucking fool of myself.
A fact that was compounded by Jeremiah’s complete lack of response to my reaction. He didn’t so much as glance in my direction again.
I didn’t exist to him.
I was barely present as the Seraphim finished up with Gloria. I didn’t even know how it happened, just that she was leaving, the soldiers with her.
It was a good thing no blood had been spilled, because I’m not sure how useful I would’ve been. All my energy was focused onhim.My mate.
The demon who wouldn’t so much as look at me.
I wasn’t scared. I’d look at him, alright. I’d memorise every line of him. How the sun caught on the gold in his hair. The shadows under his eyes. The tattoo poking out from under his right sleeve. How his right arm drifted over the wicked blade at his side.
I gobbled up every detail, trying to figure out why this man was meant to be mine. He was nothing like Lyle.
Well, I guessed they hadonething in common. Neither of them wanted me.
I memorised everything about him, knowing this was likely the only opportunity I’d have to do so. It was as clear as fucking day that he was going to take off as soon as we were done. That he was going to run far away, just so he didn’t have to face this.
Faceme.
I fucking hated him. I did. He knew nothing about me.Nothing.Yet, somehow, he’d decided he knew better than fate.
If that was how he felt, then fine. Fuck him. I didn’t need that attitude in my life. Been there, done that, got the broken heart to show for it.
It was only when they crossed our wards that I dragged my gaze from him. I’d seen enough now.
Jeremiah was nothing more than an idea of what might’ve been. A concept to live in my memories. Nowhere else. I wouldn’t let this knowledge taunt me. I wouldn’t let it keep me up at night.
He wasn’t worth it. If he thought so little of being my mate that he didn’t even want to introduce himself, he wasn’t worthy of me. Of my energy. Certainly not my heart.
Still, as I broke away from a conversation with Benji, hewas the first thing I saw. My eyes sought him out before I could stop myself.
I froze mid-step as we stared at each other. As I memorised the shock in his eyes. How his throat bobbed as he swallowed. The tremble in his hands.
I couldn’t help it. The pull in my chest was too strong. Every instinct was pleading with me, begging me to go to him.
I took a step. A single step.
Jeremiah took one too. But not towards me.
Away from me.
I froze once again, everything playing out in slow motion. The shake of Jeremiah’s head. The pain in his eyes as he silently mouthed one word.
Sorry.
I didn’t even know him, but that didn’t stop a crack forming in my heart as he took to the skies. Didn’t stop me tracking him until he was out of sight.
He didn’t look back. Not once.
I bunched my hands at my sides, willing myself not to break. I’d been through this hell before and walked out the other side. I could do it again.
Massive arms encircled me, pulling me into a tight hug.Rami.I leaned into his warmth. At least this time, I wouldn’t be going through it alone.
More people joined us, including Nox and the other demons. But it was Ezekiel who spoke first. “I’m sorry.”
