Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
K ing grunted as he grabbed another broken piece of his kitchen table and hurled it out the back door. Two days. It had been two days since they’d torn his house apart. Now, he and Joey were left to clean up the wreckage. Not that he gave a damn because Amara was home.
When Bonnie had transported them back, she’d promised to go straight to the compound and let Joey know Amara was safe. King hadn’t wasted a second. He’d taken Amara upstairs, straight into the shower, carefully washing the blood from her body. She’d tried to return the favor, but exhaustion had weighed her down, her movements slow and weak. So, he’d done it himself, washing quickly before drying her off and carrying her to bed where he held her the rest of the night.
She had barely woken since. She’d only stirred to eat or use the bathroom, and every time she fell back asleep, it hit King like a gut punch. He wasn’t used to seeing her so still, so quiet. He told himself she just needed time. That she’d been through hell, literally. But the waiting was killing him.
“Is she ever gonna wake up again?” Joey’s voice broke into his thoughts as if he had been thinking the same exact thing.
King glanced at him, noting the way he avoided looking at him directly instead focusing on the broom, pushing dust around instead of actually sweeping.
“Daniel said this is normal,” King replied, tossing more debris out the door.
“Nothing about going to Hell is normal.” Joey snorted, shaking his head.
King sighed, leaning against the doorframe. Kid had a point. “It wasn’t Hell...Hell.”
Joey cocked his eyebrow. “Hell...Hell?”
“It was a Realm of Hell.” King tried to explain but was obviously sucking at it.
“And you guys were gone for a long time,” Joey continued, pausing his sweeping to frown at him. “But you tell me you were only gone for a few hours. Make that make sense.”
King ran a hand down his face. Here we go.
“Time works differently in the Realm. An hour down there is like a week up here,” he explained, but Joey just turned to look at him with an expression that screamed, try again, asshole .
“I know that much. Mira and Kira explained that to me.” Joey threw his arms out. “I mean, how is that even possible? The more I ask, the less it makes sense.”
King let out a short laugh. “Yeah, it’s pretty fucked up.”
“All the Warriors came in all bloody,” Joey went on, shaking his head. “Steve said Daniel took out a whole field of mutant, ugly-as-fuck creatures that would eat your face off. And the ones that didn’t die, you guys kicked their asses and sent them back to Hell.” He paused. “I thought you were already in Hell, so yeah, that didn’t make sense either. But with your expert explanation I now understand you weren’t in Hell...Hell. Steve gets pretty animated when he’s telling stuff.”
King snorted. “Yeah, that sounds about right. And Steve’s not wrong, they were ugly as fuck.” Then he gave Joey a sideways glare. “And don’t be a smartass.”
Joey let out a short laugh. “Steve’s a funny guy.”
“That he is.” The sudden blare of King’s phone alarm cut through the quiet. He pulled it from his pocket, checking the notification. Daniel. He’d called earlier, saying he wanted to stop by. “Hey, go let Daniel in, would ya?”
“Yep.” Joey dropped the broom and headed for the front door.
"What happened to the kitchen?" Amara’s voice had King turning from the pile of broken table legs and shattered wood. She stood just inside the kitchen, her frown deepening as she took in the destruction.
Damn. Her hair was a messy halo around her face, her oversized flannel shirt hanging loose over cutoff shorts that left her curvy legs bare. Even disheveled, she was the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen. He was one lucky son of a bitch.
“Ah,” King cleared his throat, his eyes flicking around the room like the damage might magically disappear. Yeah, he hadn’t exactly brought her on a tour of the place when they got home. He’d taken her straight upstairs, making sure she ate and slept, barely leaving her side. She hadn’t come down once until now.
“You know what?” She held up a hand before he could answer. “Don’t want to know.”
King grinned, but it vanished the second she reached for the broom Joey had left leaning against the wall to help. The fuck she was. His gaze dropped to her bare feet.
Without thinking, he lunged forward, grabbing the broom with one hand and lifting her off the damn ground with the other.
“Oh my God, King!” she yelped, hands flying to his shoulders as he carried her to one of the stools. “Put me down!”
“I made the mess, I’ll clean the mess. There’s wood splinters and glass on the floor.” He set her down, stepping back only when he was sure she wouldn’t try to get up again.
Amara huffed, but her gaze flicked to the gaping hole in the wall near the counter. “And fix the mess?” she added softly.
King chuckled, leaning in to press a quick, lingering kiss to her lips. “Yes, and fix the mess.”
Amara smiled against his mouth, then pulled back with a look that had him narrowing his eyes. She was up to something. “I’m kidding,” she said, grinning. “I’ll go get my shoes on and help. All that sleep I’ve had I feel ready to do something. I’m tired of laying around.”
King studied her, his grin slipping just a little. “You feel okay?”
The question burned in his throat. He knew it would never stop. The worry. The fear. That deep, gnawing need to make sure she was safe.
She met his gaze, those pale eyes of hers filled with something that made his chest ache. “I’m okay, King.”
He let out a slow breath, reaching up to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Good.” His voice was rougher than he meant it to be. He leaned down kissing her softly.
"Finally!" Joey’s voice cut through the moment, making King sigh as the kid walked in, Daniel and Kane right behind him. “I thought I was gonna have to clean this mess up myself. The broom’s over there.”
Amara rolled her eyes, but her smile softened as she held out her arms. “Give me a hug, punk.”
“If I have to,” Joey mumbled, but his sarcasm didn’t match the way he all but tackled Amara, wrapping his arms around her tight. “Glad none of those mutant, ugly-as-fuck creatures ate your face off.”
"That makes two of us." Amara chuckled, then her gaze slid to Daniel. The humor in her eyes dimmed as she caught the way he was watching her. Amara’s brow furrowed. "What's going on?"
"Why does everyone ask that when I show up?" Daniel muttered, sighing like the weight of the world sat on his shoulders.
"Uh oh." Joey pulled back from Amara, glancing between Daniel and King. "Is this gonna be another bitch-out session?"
Kane laughed, earning himself a sharp glare from Daniel.
"No, Joey." Daniel’s lips twitched into a grin. "I think I got my point across the other day."
“Do I want to know?” Amara whispered, leaning into King’s side.
He bent down, murmuring against her temple, “No.”
She nodded, satisfied, making King chuckle.
Daniel’s attention remained locked on Amara, his expression unreadable. "How are you feeling, Amara?"
King recognized the look. Daniel was reading her. Searching for any signs of weakness, anything she might not be saying out loud. And knowing Daniel, he’d damn well know if she was lying.
Amara shifted, straightening in her seat like she felt the weight of his stare. "Better, but man, I don’t think I’ve ever slept that much in my life." She frowned slightly. "And I don’t remember much."
“Count that as a good thing.” Daniel’s voice was firm, his gaze flicking to King.
The shift in energy was instant and indicated something was coming. King braced himself.
"Listen," Daniel started, his voice carrying a weight that had Amara sitting up even straighter. "A good friend of mine informed me that you weren’t given a serum like the other humans who were turned into half-breeds."
"I know. That bastard Valkas bragged about that, but I don’t know what any of that means?" Amara frowned shifting uncomfortably on the stool.
Daniel exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "It all comes down to your blood, Amara. It makes you superior.”
Amara’s confusion was immediate. " Superior? I don’t have the speed or power of a half-breed, I don’t have fangs, and I don’t need blood." She huffed out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "Sounds like I’m a failure in that aspect."
King’s jaw clenched. Failure? The word felt wrong coming out of her mouth. Like it didn’t belong anywhere near her, his Amara was no goddamn failure.
“That’s bullshit.” King’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. He turned fully to her, eyes burning with conviction. “You are not a failure, Amara.”
She blinked at the force of his words, but before she could respond, Daniel leaned forward.
"He's right." Daniel’s voice was steady, unwavering. "And if you knew just how valuable you are to our world, you wouldn’t think that for a second."
Amara swallowed hard, her fingers curling in her lap. King could see her mind racing, searching for understanding. And he hated that doubt creeping into her eyes.
He reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. She wasn’t alone in this. She never would be.
“Listen, this shit is complicated, and it always will be.” Daniel ran a hand through his hair, his frustration bleeding into his voice. “My friend said that she can try to break the spell, but...”
King had heard that tone before when Daniel was about to drop something heavy, and King was already bracing for it.
King’s stomach tightened. There was always a fucking ‘but .’ “But what?” His voice came out sharp, his patience hanging by a thread.
Kane, surprisingly, was the one to answer. “Your blood saved King’s life.”
King tensed. They were talking about him now.
Kane continued after a few minutes of silence. “For thousands of years, full-blood vampires have been dying from silver. No exceptions. No second chances. King is the first vampire to ever survive being shot with a silver bullet.” He paused, letting that sink in. “That means your blood isn’t just rare, Amara. It’s legendary.”
Silence.
King’s gaze immediately locked onto Amara. He needed to see her reaction. See what she was thinking. But she just sat there listening and absorbing what was being said.
Daniel spoke again, his voice cutting through the weight of Kane’s words. “In order to save a vampire, Amara, you are still a weapon. One that could be used against me.”
King’s gut twisted. There it was. The real reason Daniel looked like he hadn’t slept in days. She was dangerous. Not just to herself but to him. To all of them.
Daniel continued, “Staying as you are now will continue to put you in danger.” His tone softened, but King wasn’t fooled. Daniel cared, but he also knew how the supernatural world worked. A weapon was a weapon. And weapons were meant to be controlled.
King fucking hated that thought.
“Take time to think about this,” Daniel urged. “It’s an important decision.”
King’s chest tightened. This wasn’t just about her. It was about them.
But Amara didn’t hesitate. “I don’t need time to think.” Her voice rang through the room, steady and unshaken. Amara lifted her chin, looking straight at Daniel. “Tell your friend, thank you, but I’m not interested.”
Fuck. King’s stomach clenched. She didn’t get it. She didn’t understand that this meant there would always be a target on her back. Always.
“Amara, are you sure?” His frown deepened. He needed her to know the weight of this choice. “There is always going to be a target on your back.”
“Then I guess the Warriors will have to keep me safe,” Amara smirked, her eyes flicking between them before the humor faded, and her voice turned serious. “It may be Duncan and Pam I save next. Or you, Kane. To me, that is worth the risk. You guys have been a family to Joey... and now, I see you as my family.”
King’s chest tightened at her words.
Daniel gave her a respectful nod. “Thank you.” His tone was sincere, but his eyes were sharp. “But know this is your decision. And if you ever change your mind?—”
“I won’t.” Amara cut him off without hesitation, her gaze unwavering. “Just please watch your back if I’m taken again, okay?”
A white-hot fury ignited inside King.
“That won’t fucking happen.” His voice came out like a goddamn growl, vibrating through the room, but Daniel just grinned like he expected it.
Amara, being Amara, couldn’t leave it at that. She shrugged and smirked. “And don’t piss me off, because I could change sides.” Then she laughed, shaking her head. “Just messing with ya.”
“Damn.” Kane chuckled, turning to Joey. “You sure you don’t have another aunt somewhere?”
King’s head snapped toward Kane so fast, it was a miracle his neck didn’t break. “Watch it.” His voice was a warning—a low, lethal threat—but Kane just winked at Amara with his signature charming grin. The motherfucker. Before King could rip his head off, Amara moved.
She stood and tightly hugged Daniel. King clenched his jaw but let it slide. Daniel was fine. Kane, on the other hand...yeah, he knew his history with women.
Then Amara whispered, “King will keep me safe.” Her voice softened. “But seriously, if I do happen to come up missing again, watch your ass, because I really like you.”
Daniel pulled back and met her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded once. “Deal.”
Kane reached over and pulled Amara into a hug right after smirking at him over her damn shoulder. The fucker was pushing his luck. King’s grip on the broom tightened so hard it cracked. If Kane held her one second longer, he was about to redecorate the kitchen with his face.
“Thank you, Amara.” Kane finally said, dragging out the hug before finally letting her go which was a smart move.
“Hey, Joey, want to head to the compound? I got a gaming setup that’ll blow your mind.” Daniel asked as if knowing King was ready to blow.
Joey’s excited whoop was so loud that Amara actually jumped.
“Hell yeah, I do!” Joey bolted upstairs to grab some stuff, then ran back down, practically bouncing on his feet. “Better than cleaning, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t forget you start back to classes tomorrow night.” Amara reminded Joey.
“I know. I know.” Joey frowned as he hugged Amara. “Glad you ain’t being a lazy ass anymore.” Joey grinned, then took off before she could give him a smack on the arm.
King chuckled when Amara rolled her eyes as they headed out the door.
“Dude, I thought King was going to go ballistic on your ass when you hugged Amara.” Joey’s voice carried to them.
King’s eyes narrowed as Joey’s statement was followed by Kane’s deep chuckle. “I know.”
A low growl rumbled in King’s chest as he glared at the now empty doorway. “Asshole.”
"Who? Joey?" Amara frowned, giving King a sideways glance.
"No, Kane." His voice was flat, his eyes narrowed like he was still considering going after the bastard.
Amara raised an eyebrow. "I don’t know, he seems pretty nice."
King snorted. Nice? The fucker had been smirking at him while hugging her.
Then she turned, giving him a slow, knowing look. "Are you jealous?"
King snorted louder, shooting her a ‘give me a fucking break’ look. "Fuck no. I just don’t like men touching you."
"Daniel touched me." Her lips twitched. "The only one who hasn’t touched me is the one I want touching me."
His eyes snapped to hers. Oh, she was baiting him now. "I did touch—" He started to argue, then caught the glint in her eye, the way she was trying to hide her smirk.
King exhaled sharply. "I see you’re being a smartass again."
Amara shrugged innocently. "Well, I mean, you’re stomping around mad about Kane hugging me when we have the house all to ourselves. You could be touching me, but instead, you’re over there growling and?—"
King moved before he could think.
One second, he was across the room. The next, he had her pinned against the wall, his fingers wrapped gently around her throat. Amara gasped, her breath hitching. But not in fear. No, there was never fear when she looked at him like that. Only trust. Only heat.
His other hand slammed against the wall beside her head as he leaned in, his voice a low growl against her ear.
“You are mine, Amara.” His thumb traced the delicate skin of her throat. “I don’t like other men touching you, and that will never change.” Her pulse pounded under his fingertips, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she licked her lips, her gaze dropping to his mouth before locking onto his eyes.
“I love you, King.” Her voice was a whisper, but it hit him like a fucking bullet to the chest. She wasn’t saying it for him to say it back. She wasn’t asking for reassurance. She was telling him. Claiming him. "There will never be another man for me... ever."
Something inside him snapped. King crushed his mouth to hers. The kiss was deep and possessive.
King’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, his body tense as he stared into Amara’s pale, beautiful eyes. “Become my Mate, Amara.”
The words came out rough, almost desperate, scraping against his throat like gravel. He wasn’t asking, he was claiming. And yet, she still had the power to deny him.
But she didn’t. “I will be your anything, King.”
Her words hit him like a lightning strike, scorching through his very soul. His grip on her tightened but not out of possession, but because he never wanted to let her go.
That was the only answer he needed. Without another word, he lifted her into his arms. Amara wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her up the stairs, their mouths meeting in a kiss that burned through every hesitation, every fear.
Joey was gone. The house was silent. Tonight, there were no threats, no battles to fight—only them.
King would make her his Mate, binding her to him in a way no force in this world or the next could break. Their future was uncertain, not because of doubt but because of the unseen forces that would try to pull them apart.
But they would fail. Because tonight, he would seal their fate together. Forever.