Page 367 of Halfblood Deceived

Mac frowned. “You didn’t hurt us, Diana. Fucking Brittany did.”

Trinity’s upper lip curled, displaying her canines. “I wish I’d had her for dinner as I wanted for a long time.”

Tim wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think she tastes nice.”

“Agreed,” Rebecca said.

Reese narrowed their dark blue eyes on Diana, head tilting. “Wait. You are blaming yourself for it?”

“Yep,” Aella confirmed, ignoring Diana’s look.

“Diana, are you mad?” Jordan asked, crossing his arms over his impressive chest. “Why would you blame yourself for something you had no control over?”

Diana swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Because I hurt you. My fists broke your bones.” Her eyes moved to Vaz. “My power burned you.”

Trinity sighed, her gaze drifting to Vaz, too. “Oh, goddess, you were right.”

Vaz shrugged. “I usually am right when it comes to people’s emotions. Emphasis on usually. I should have known something was wrong with Brittany.”

Rod wrapped an arm around Vaz’s shoulders and kissed the corner of his mouth. “You can’t blame yourself either, babe.”

Aella’s jaw dropped. “Oh, my gods. You guys got together?”

Rod beamed and kissed Vaz soundly on the lips. “Yes!”

Vaz’s dark eyes flared with affection and lust.

Tim grinned. “Fucking finally, right?”

Rebecca nodded.

Diana blinked. “When did that happen?”

“You would know if you hadn’t been avoiding us!” Trinity protested.

“I just…” Diana took a deep breath. “I was afraid that you would fear me.”

She got a collective dismayed look at that.

Lupita threw her hands up. “For fuck’s sake, Diana. You were poisoned and mind controlled by a fucking lunatic and forced to hurt us. You almost died. Why the fuck would we be afraid of you? I mean, okay, you are plenty terrifying when you are in full battle mode, but we know you would never hurt us on purpose. We trust you, mensa!7 We care about you. You’ve had us worried. You ghosted us for a week, then we were going to meet up for lunch, and you ghosted us for a whole ass week again. That’s why we’re pissed. Not because you got used by that hija de la chingada8, alright?”

“I only got like 60% of that, but I’m 100% sure I agree,” Rod said.

“Same,” Jordan added with a smile. The others nodded.

Diana laughed. She couldn’t help it. It helped her calm the ache in her chest. “Thank you, Lupita.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to ghost you guys a week ago. It’s just… stuff happened.”

“Stuff?” Mac asked.

“Er, it was my fault,” Aella interjected, looking sheepish. “I, um, got sort of kidnapped and Diana was hurt in the crossfire.”

“Kidnapped?!” Trinity, Tim, Rod, and Lupita chorused.

Aella cringed. “Long story. Horrible, personal story. I’m not ready to tell you. Sorry.”

Kamilla and Kerian had decided to keep secret the possibility of a gargoyle-controlled portal near or in Darkwood. The news would only create mass panic, and that was all but helpful.

Reese’s brow furrowed. “Are you safe now? Both of you?”

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