Chapter 49
Iwhip my head around to see Locke’s ice-blue eyes barely open.
Deep purple bruises sit underneath, but he looks better.
Bronwyn moves to his side, assessing the wounds and helping him prop up as best he can.
I try to establish any channel between us, but like Theo said, it’s different from the seal I have with Crew—this feels more like a deep loyalty rather than emotional, but I still want to race to him.
He coughs and winces against the pain, clutching his chest as our eyes meet. I freeze, sensing the faint whisper of him in my veins. I feel a darkness similar to Crew’s, and my lightness works to combat this new feeling within me. I step toward him and watch as Crew becomes completely rigid.
“Hey,” I say to him, kindly.
He smiles and waves his hand. “Move.”
“What?” I respond in confusion.
“I… said move,” he says, faintly. “I want to watch Crew beat Damien’s ass.”
I burst into laughter and step aside to reveal Crew’s hand still wrapped around Damien’s throat. Crew’s large body nearly lies on top of him, and Damien cranes his head to the side.
“Hey buddy,” Damien squeaks from the lack of oxygen. “You didn’t miss much.”
Locke pushes with his hands a bit more to prop up farther, and Bronwyn sits beside him on the couch, placing a pillow behind his back.
“Don’t stop on my account,” Locke instructs. “Please, continue.”
Crew releases his grip on Damien’s throat and moves toward his friend on the couch. He wastes no time wrapping his arms around Locke’s neck and pulling him into an embrace. Locke winces from the pain, but drapes his hands around Crew’s back.
They linger like that for a moment before pulling away. Damien stands and walks to the couch, nearly sitting on top of Locke, and grabs his shoulders. The three of them don’t say anything, but exchange glances, and I can’t help but think of all the things they’ve been through together.
“I’m alright,” Locke says.
Crew shifts to sit on the floor and runs his hands through his hair. “I’m so fucking sorry I left. This is all my fault.”
Damien clears his throat, and Bronwyn shoots a warning glance his way to remain quiet.
“It’s not your fault,” Locke says. “It’s your father’s fault we were attacked. Remember that.”
Crew nods, and I know the guilt hasn’t faded.
“We’ve been through worse,” Damien says. “Like a second ago, for example. You got a strong grip, Bannermin.”
Crew glares. “I still want to beat your ass.”
Damien shrugs. “I mean, I liked it. I won’t lie.”
Bronwyn stands, walking toward the fire, and mumbles under her breath, “You three are ridiculous.”
I remain standing at a distance, giving them as much time as they need to talk.
They fall into a hushed conversation about everything that transpired, and I’m relieved by the soft smiles and quiet laughs that escape their lips.
I glance at Bronwyn, and she watches with the same gentle eyes.
They’re a family—a fucked-up one, but a family nonetheless.
Her gaze meets mine, and I know she feels the same sadness I do, reflecting on the family we once had with Shaw and Talon. She crosses the floor toward me and rests her head on my shoulder.
“Did we just find a new group?” she asks, a hint of excitement in her voice.
I cut my eyes to her. “Do you think we’ll be able to handle them?”
She laughs. “There isn’t anything that we can’t handle, babe.”
“I think you’re right.”
The night passes as we talk among ourselves about the present and future.
We discuss how we will get through this and how one day things will go back to normal—whatever that looks like for the five of us—after this ends.
But one thing I know for sure is I can’t lose any of these people around me, and I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
After a few hours, the conversation fades, and Crew walks over to me, kissing the top of my head. “I’m going to shower.”
I nod.
He disappears into the bathroom, softly closing the door behind him, and I glance at Damien, whose lips form a thin line as he stands. Bronwyn waves her hand at him, and he rushes over.
“Let’s go to our room,” she says. “To sleep only.”
He smiles wildly. “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do, boss.”
She rolls her eyes and flashes me a devilish smile. I huff a laugh as they leave the room. I hear their door open and close, and nerves rush through my system as I slowly shift my gaze to Locke.
He pats the couch, signaling for me to sit down, and I hesitate before I do. The softness of the couch surrounds me, but Locke’s intense stare makes me uneasy. He stays at a distance, only moving when necessary, and exhales sharply.
“Thank you,” he finally says.
I nod. “I would do it for any of you.”
“I know,” he says.
My focus is on the bond, and I test it again. Since he's only connected to me, and not the other way around, I don’t feel it as strongly. I try to calm him, hoping to ease his pain, and his eyes light up.
“That’s wild,” he whispers.
“What do you feel?” I ask.
“I don’t think I necessarily feel you, but I can sense something between us if that makes sense.”
I nod. “That sounds right.”
“I feel a deep need to protect you, and my body hums when you are close, like the way that I need water to drink when I’m thirsty.”
I remain silent.
“What do you feel?” he asks.
I shrug. “I feel your darkness, but I can’t feel your emotions like I can Crew’s. I hope you won’t resent me for doing this to you. I wanted to save your life, not force you to protect me for the rest of our lives.”
“Why would I resent you saving my life?” He sits up farther. “And I told you, Mara, I would be there for you with or without a bond.”
“Crew told me to save you,” I say. “I gave him the option to bond with you over me.”
“But he didn’t want to bond to me with his mortal lifespan.”
“I think that’s why he chose not to,” I respond. “He doesn’t want to hurt you one day.”
Locke glances toward the bathroom door that remains closed. “It will hurt no matter what, I’m afraid.”
A sadness washes over me, and I find myself gazing at the spot where Crew stood before as well. Locke settles back into the couch, closing his eyes. “Go talk to him. I’m fine, Mara.”
“Are you sure?”
Locke opens his eyes briefly. “Yes. And you better not be overbearing now that I’m bonded to you.”
I huff a laugh and stand, moving across the spacious room. Locke’s voice sounds again, “Also, tell Bannermin that I’m not going to come between you two.”
“What do you mean?” I pause, keeping my gaze fixed forward.
“You are mine to protect, Mara, not mine to love, that’s his job.”
I don’t turn around to face him. Instead, I keep going, pausing before the bathroom door where I hear the water running inside. I knock gently before turning the knob. The steam from the room fills the air, and a warm dampness moves around me.
Through the fog, I can see the outline of Crew’s strong body beneath the water.
Water droplets roll down his torso, and I allow myself to stare momentarily.
His strong chest glistens in the water, his hands run through his hair, and his mouth is slightly parted, letting the water flow in.
I glance down toward his feet and notice the water pooling around the drain is crimson, and I remember what he did for Locke in the air.
He slaughtered those men, uncaring of what was happening, and fought for his friend.
I walk forward and begin to slip out of my clothes, desperate to wash off as well. I toss my shirt aside and slide down my pants, stepping out of them. Crew remains in the water with his eyes closed as I walk around the glass door.
He doesn’t move or react, and I gently place my hands on his torso, feeling hard muscle under my touch.
“This better not be Damien trying to apologize,” he says, wiping his eyes from the water.
I chuckle and press my chest against his, letting the water drench me. He slowly trails his hands over my back, sending a chill up my spine, and I close my eyes while the bond hums with pleasure.
He kisses the top of my head, and I pull back to look into his silver eyes.
“Did you speak with Locke?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say with a nod. “He’s alright.”
Crew’s lips form a thin line as he loses himself in thought. I reach up, cupping his face, and force his eyes to mine.
“Crew,” I say, reassuring him. “Nothing is changing.”
He nuzzles into my hold and closes his eyes.
“I know,” he responds. “I’m just not feeling like myself. There is a shift inside me—like a constant ache in my body.”
“A shift?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but I just don’t feel good.”
“I don’t sense anything. Maybe you are just exhausted.” I tilt my head. “When did this start?”
He shrugs, letting the water run over his face. “After we saw my father at The Neon Sin.”
I maintain a calm expression, suppressing any signs of worry in my eyes. “I’ve felt your chaos—your internal struggles—but I thought it was all due to what Shaw told me. It doesn’t feel deeper than that.”
“I thought so, too,” he says. “But it’s something more, and I feel in every cell that something isn’t right.”
I stand on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against his, and a soft groan leaves his mouth.
“Everything is a lot right now.” I smile. “But we will figure this out.”
“And Locke,” he says.
I nudge his chest. “Do not start that, you jealous idiot. It’s not like that.”
“No?” he responds.
“No. It’s more like I have a protective brother now. It’s nothing like what I feel for you, and Locke very much feels the same.”
“I don’t plan on sharing you.”
I lean my head against his chest, feeling his racing heartbeat against my ear.
“I’m no one but yours.”
He hums. “I trust you, Mara.”
I kiss him again. “And I trust you.”
He spins me, submerging me, and I tilt my head back, letting the water cascade down my body. The warmth envelops me, and I feel Crew’s hands glide along my waist. Thoughts of tonight rush into my mind, and the Grim’s words begin to infect me.