Page 67 of Fated to Monsters

“Good for you.”

This isn’t the first time he’s insisted on carrying me when I told him I was fine. And I’m sure it won’t be the last. He might pretend he doesn’t care, but this is just another instance of him proving himself wrong.

Bo continues around the corner and opens another door, nudging it shut behind him. He flips on a light switch with me still in his grasp and brings me over to a table covered in a thin layer of paper. “If Wes were here, he could fix this for you.”

I sit up and scoot myself to the edge of the table while rubbing at my neck. “I’m fine.” Between the hold Balial had and then the one Clara did, I am rather sore. “You got back in the nick of time.”

“Had I been a moment later, she may have succeeded.” Bo lowers his head.

“Don’t act like this is your fault. You couldn’t have known Balial would keep you there. It’s just as much my fault.”

Bo slams his fist into his chest. “I’m the one who marked you, Wren.Me. I’m the only one to blame here.”

Sydney comes into the room like he promised and makes his way over to us. “I have something that should help.” He fumbles with a few vials in a large glass cabinet and plucks two of them out. “Here. Drink this.” He hands me one of them and consumes the other himself.

The color returns to his cheeks within seconds and the energy he had lost seems to return.

I drain the one he gave me, the taste bitter on my tongue. Warmth spreads through me, and despite really understanding how, the pressure on my neck subsides. It’s still there, but not half as bad as it was seconds prior.

"It will take some time to take full effect, but it should take the edge off." Sydney glances at Bo and then at me. "I'll give you two a minute. I’m going to find something for you to eat."

“I’m not hungry,” I tell him.

“It’s a witchy thing. You should always replenish after a spell that big to counteract the impact it has.” Sydney doesn’t bother waiting for my protest. He strolls back the way he came and leaves Bo and me behind.

“Bo.” I press my palm on his shoulder. “Will you talk to me, please?”

He clenches his jaw. “I should see if he needs any help.” Bo makes his way across the room but stops when he turns the door handle and it doesn’t budge. He tugs and twists it. “It’s locked.”

I hop off the table. “From the outside?”

“That bastard locked us in here.” Bo slams his fist against the door but it doesn’t flex in the slightest.

“Let me try.” I shove him out of the way.

“Yeah, like you’re going to be able to get it if I can’t.”

I narrow my gaze at him. “Rude.” I close my eyes and latch onto the handle, willing whatever power I have within me to rise to the surface.

But no amount of strength will get us through this door.

Sydney didn’tjustlock us in this room together, he sealed us in with magic.

"Well, I guess you can't run away like you always do." I stalk back over to the table and sit back on the crumbled paper.

“I don’t run away.” Bo crosses his arms over his chest.

“You do, too. Every time you almost say something that might actually let me know what’s going through your thick skull, you bolt.” I scoot farther onto the table and let my legs dangle over the edge. “What are you so afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything.” Bo stays near the door. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh? I don’t?” I let out a laugh. “At least Wes can’t lie to me, and Dash has enough respect for me that he chooses not to.”

“Is that what you want? Me to be more like Wes and Dash?” Bo throws up his arms. “That’s never going to happen.”

“I’m aware.” I huff. “Angels forbid you have a shred of decency in you.”

“Whatever.”

---