Chapter 16 – Atlas
Chapter Sixteen
Atlas
T he day went to shit sometime after Laz and Vivie’s last show. That fae is dramatic under the best of circumstances and downright infuriating under the worst. Luckily, she’s not my problem, outside of settling down the ruckus she caused.
Poor Laz. He’s a solid guy—as genuine a monster as you’ll find in The Den. I wipe my hands off on my jeans and head for Ali’s office.
This place can officially kiss my ass.
I’m finding my flame, thanking the fucking universe she’s generally pretty levelheaded, and getting the hell out of here before another problem, that’s not my problem, can pop up.
I’m fully expecting to find Ali asleep on the sofa in her office. As I carefully close the door behind me, my head bows low. It’s been so goddamn crazy around here, I hadn’t fully had the chance to think through exactly how difficult the situation might be for her.
In no way, shape, or form do I expect to see Hex stretched out in his full kraken form with Ali lying on his side.
She’s tucked between him and the back of the couch.
She’s all tangled in his tentacles, but I can’t see the full extent of it, because their lower halves are covered with the blanket that normally rests on the back of the couch.
I squat down at his side. “How’d that happen?” I wait, prepared for him to hiss a warning to back away.
“She needed comfort,” he says in a raspy tone I think is meant to be a whisper.
“And you provided it.”
His facial tentacles move as he nods. “I’ll always offer whatever she needs.”
“You’re looking a little dry. You might want to take a dip in the harbor or, at the very least, one of the aquatic tanks.” I gesture to the dry, irritated skin lining his chest.
“He hasn’t let me out in many years. It’s a wonder I’m not facing more issues.”
I grimace. “I’ll carry her, and we can stop by one of the pools, if you’d like to take a quick dunk before we head out.”
“Where’s Silence?”
“Listening to a couple of out-of-towners to try to gauge their intent. I promised we wouldn’t leave without him.” I laugh, making a grab for Ali. “I doubt he could find his way home if he tried.”
“You’ll not disappear while I rehydrate?” His eyes shine as he studies me, but the rest of his body is extremely dry. It had to be damn uncomfortable letting her lie on him to sleep.
“I won’t,” I assure him.
He bows his head.
I think Hex and I are on the same page. Well, at least his monster. The man is still questionable.
We head downstairs and to the back of the building. It’s late enough that there’s hardly anyone around. Hex doesn’t bother with the stairs. His tentacles grab the top of the glass, and he catapults into the water.
I take a seat on one of the benches with Ali still on my lap. She’s wrapped in the blanket to keep her warm. It’s strange watching the massive monster dart around the water. He reminds me of an overexcited puppy finally let out of their kennel.
I release a heavy sigh and study my sweet fae as I wait. She’s so fucking beautiful, but even sleeping, I can sense her sadness. Perhaps it’s that she’s my flame, or maybe I’m just in tune with her like I’ve never been with another living being.
Silence finds us a few minutes later. He takes a seat on the side with Ali’s feet and stretches back against the wall. I don’t miss the way he slides a hand up, running his fingers over her ankle.
“That was very kind of you,” he says, nodding to the glass.
Hex isn’t visible, not really. He’s so fast, it’s purely indistinguishable shapes flying past the glass.
I grunt in response as we sit, waiting for the kraken to tire himself out.
Hex finally finishes in the pool. He dresses quickly in the same clothes he carried down. I frown. Come to think of it, he and Silence need to go shopping. I’m tired of constantly lending them my sweats.
He comes to stand over me, and it’s like I can sense what’s coming.
“Thank you,” he says, bowing his head low. “I needed to replenish.”
I grunt, moving to my feet.
Hex shuffles back a few steps but stays close. He watches Ali, and it’s pretty fucking clear that man is done for. He’s abrasive and kind of a dick most of the time, but I’m also starting to see his and Silence’s truth.
I don’t think they’d be here if they weren’t genuine in their efforts to make things right. It still doesn’t make placing her in his outstretched arms any easier.
“I didn’t know that was an option,” Silence mutters. “I’d have taken it while we watched you frolic.”
“Put in the fucking work,” I growl, spinning around and heading out without another word.
Later that same night, Ali and I lounge naked in my bed. Malice, the creepy fucker, lies on his side, running his fingers through her long pinkish-blonde hair.
She rests against my chest, giving me a goofy smile that makes it difficult to breathe.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
She always has been, but since Malice and her husbands entered the picture, there’s a lightness to her soul that’s impossible to ignore.
She might be undecided on where she stands with Hex and Silence, but their presence balances her out in some way.
It’s clear she hasn’t accepted it yet, but even I have to acknowledge the fact I believe it’s coming.
I blow out a heavy breath.
Everything changed in the blink of an eye. I’d just barely gotten her to myself. Sharing is an adjustment I wasn’t prepared for.
“I’m kind of hungry,” she says, running her fingers over my skin.
“She burned off her last meal riding your cock.” Malice winks. “That means it’s your responsibility to make her a late-night snack.”
“Gladly.” I dip my lips to hers for a tease of a kiss before pushing myself out of bed. I yank on a pair of sweats and aim for the kitchen.
It’s dark, but my nostrils flare, picking up Silence’s scent. He’s sitting at the table, shirtless, with his head in his hands. I don’t have a whole lot of compassion for either of them, but I guess I’m not a true psychopath, since a shiver of unease slips through me at seeing him so miserable.
I rarely give a fuck about anyone enough to notice if they’re suffering, but the entire room smells sour with his misery.
I pull open the fridge and grab the cut-up fruit before moving to the drawer with the cheese.
“I hate you and that fucking nightmare,” Silence mutters as I close the fridge.
“Seems like you hate yourself for the choices you made.” I shrug, heading for the pantry.
Ali loves these disgusting whole wheat crackers that taste like dirt to me. I still grab them, because it doesn’t matter if I eat them. She does. I know she’ll light up when she spots them.
“Don’t act like you wouldn’t have done the same in our position,” he snaps, appearing in the doorway to the pantry.
“Under the circumstances, you would have tried your best to keep her safe. Did we fuck up?” He nods.
“And I’d do things differently if I had the chance, but I’ve also had the luxury of twenty years to stew on my lessons. ”
I take a step back, studying his light-blue eyes. He’s pleading with me to believe him. The thing is, I already do, but it doesn’t erase the pain she experienced due to how they handled things. His dark tattoos flex as he stares at the ceiling.
“I don’t think she’ll ever forgive us, because some part of her will always wonder if we played a role in what happened.
It’s like I can feel her yearning, but she’s more than happy to fill it with you and Malice.
” He swipes a hand up, running it over his heart.
“Gods, that hurts like hell every single time .” He rubs absently at his chest.
I’m still focused on what he said. Is it possible she refuses to accept their version of the truth because she’s still so emotionally damaged by the loss of not only her family, but also the physical repercussions from healing her sister? There’s a chance.
“I don’t want to break up this little party, especially if the two of you were about to slow dance or punch each other in the kidneys...” Malice appears in the shadows of the kitchen. “But I have to pop back into Kash’s shell. Oh, and Ali is on the way down the stairs.”
Silence sighs, stepping back a few feet, and leaves without another word.
“They had no part in the attack on their wedding. At least, thus far, they’ve spoken nothing but the truth.
” Malice shrugs. “I don’t have much of a conscience, and yet, I felt obligated to clear that up.
Don’t worry, it’s not on you. I told the lovely fae before siphoning down here. ” He winks and disappears.
“Can we eat in bed?” Ali asks, leaning around the wall into the kitchen.
“Of course,” I agree, getting myself together.
Once we’re settled back in my room, Ali sits cross-legged across from me. I set down the plate and start opening the containers. She immediately goes for the pre-sliced block cheese and dirt-like crackers.
“Do you feel like everything is weird lately?” she asks, blinking up at me.
“Things have been more hectic than the rest of the time I’ve known you,” I agree, running my fingers over her cheek. “Do you trust Malice?”
Her eyes squeeze shut as she gives a ragged nod. “We’re just getting to know each other in this realm, but I do.”
I give her my best encouraging smile. I’ve yearned for this openness between us for so long that I’m even willing to listen to her confess her interest in another monster. She may not have said the words, but I can sense her meaning clearly enough.
“So, you believe what he said about your husbands? Does that make you feel better or worse?” I stretch out across the bed, grabbing a pillow and shoving it behind my head.
“If that’s true, then...” She shakes her head and drops the sleeve of crackers onto the plate. “Then, I only have myself to blame.” Her words are barely a whisper. “I think it’s been easier to survive because I held on to the hate and rage.”