Chapter 17 Aniyah #2
I straightened, rolled my shoulders, and switched back into host mode. My smile stretched wide across my face as I threw open my arms.
“Come out! My men handled everything. You're safe now, and we are calling it a night. Please move to the locker room to retrieve your things.”
People slowly emerged from their hiding spots, clinging to one another. Some had blood on their clothes, none of it theirs. A few had that hollow look of near-death survivors, but as they passed, they bowed their heads to me.
And just like that, I felt seen. Respected. Worshipped.
Honestly? I might've accidentally played matchmaker tonight. All that adrenaline and trauma? I definitely sparked a few trauma bonds. See? Not all bad.
Lucus appeared at my side with the stealth of a shadow, scanning the scene with a low whistle.
“Well, darling,” he muttered, eyeing the carnage. “I don’t know how Alic got out of your wrath with just a kicked dick.”
I grinned up at him, chest still heaving, and nodded. I must really like that damn troll.
Ras came sprinting toward me, flushed, eyes locked on mine like I was the only thing anchoring him to this world. As soon as he reached me, his arms crushed around my body, holding me tight.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered, the words tumbling out. “I mean, I knew you would be, but you never really know and—”
I cupped his cheek and kissed him. Just a soft, grateful thing.
Or so I thought.
His hands slid into my hair, deepening the kiss into something molten.
His mouth devoured mine, soft lips parting, claiming.
His body pressed flush against me, and I felt him, all of him.
My back lit up with heat, but it wasn’t painful this time.
It was pleasure, undeniable, dizzying pleasure.
A moan escaped my lips before I could bite it down.
He gripped my ass, grinding against me, and suddenly, I wasn’t thinking anymore. I was just feeling. I clawed at his back and yanked him closer like I could fuse us together. I barely knew him, yet I wanted him more than my next breath.
The elevator dinged, and Alic’s voice carried over to us, loud enough that it could be heard a mile away.
“Aniyah! Where are you? Are you okay?”
Hearing him snapped me back to reality with the efficiency of a bucket of ice water. I jerked back, breathless, lips tingling. Ras leaned forward, chasing the kiss I’d stolen away.
“I’m fine! Toward the front,” I called out, taking several unsteady steps back.
Ras looked gutted, as though I’d ripped his heart out and stomped on it, and maybe I had. My brain was spinning—he’s my IT guy—and I’d just had a full make-out session with him like he was the love of my damn life.
Lucus sidled up behind me, one arm snaking around my waist, lips brushing just beneath my ear. The spot melted under his kiss, and my knees nearly gave out again.
He chuckled darkly, supporting my weight. “Well, that was interesting. How many are you collecting?”
I tilted my head to shoot him a glare, but Alic’s voice thundered closer.
“Aniyah.”
He stomped into the room, gun still raised, eyes scanning his surroundings. “Where are—” He froze mid-sentence, eyes locked on my arm.
I followed his gaze. The graze. Blood dripped steadily, the ruby red trail carving its way down my arm.
“Oh, this?” I laughed weakly. “It’s noth—”
He moved faster than I expected, pulling me away from Lucus. Anyone else wouldn’t have been able to execute the maneuver that smoothly, that easily, but to him, I weighed nothing. His gaze burned into the other two.
“You were supposed to protect her.”
Lucus’ eyes sharpened into silver slits. Ras’ nostrils flared, his pupils glowing like red embers about to burst.
“Hey!” I snapped, smacking Alic’s shoulder. “They did. Or do you not see the sea of corpses I handcrafted for you?”
He didn’t respond. His eyes stayed locked on the wound, hand trembling mid-air like he wanted to touch it but couldn’t.
“Alic?” I tried again, softer.
Still no response. Instead, he was mumbling, blaming himself, saying he should’ve stayed. I knew that, somewhere deep down, he understood his presence would’ve changed nothing, but I wouldn’t be able to get that through his head right now.
I looked over his shoulder, and my blood ran cold.
A male. No mask. Someone familiar to me, someone that meant something.
Morino. Maso Morino.
My breath caught. Bright blue eyes. Rain-soaked memories. A storm. The way his warmth had wrapped around me that night. It all came crashing back in one blinding surge.
Another wave of heat ripped through me. My wings trembled. My eyes blurred, but I couldn’t look away.
He smiled. Soft. Knowing.
My whole body tensed, then buckled.
“Maso?” I whispered, my knees giving out.
I’d barely braced for impact before strong, familiar arms wrapped around me, pulling me against a solid chest.
That scent. That warmth.
Him.
“Hi, my mate,” he whispered, his voice hitting me like a drug. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Mate? What the fuck?! My body was burning. Was I poisoned? Hit with a spell? My thoughts were scrambled.
Lucus’ voice was sharp with disbelief. “Mate?! I’m her fucking mate!”
Wait—what?!
I tried to speak, tried to shout, tried to breathe, but my lips wouldn’t move. My limbs turned to lead.
“Shut up!” Alic’s voice cracked. He cradled my face, rough hands trembling. “What’s happening to her?”
I screamed in my head, Yes! What the fuck is wrong with me?!
A cool hand pressed to my forehead. I shivered.
“She’s burning up,” Lucus muttered.
“Shit. Now, she’s shaking. Give her to me!”
Maso growled in warning at Alic, and the air grew volatile until a familiar voice cut through it all like a blade.
“Both of you, shut up.”
Van! He’s okay!
“I have a key to her place,” he said smoothly. “Let’s take her there. Fast.”
Yes. Thank you. Gods, yes.
“Fine. Let’s go,” Alic barked, urgency returning to his voice.
Ras added, “Someone needs to inform her family we’ve secured the situation. They’re waiting for an update.”
Good. So smart. I want to kiss him again.
As I was lifted and carried, jostled gently, my mind began to slip.
My apartment wasn’t far. I just needed to rest. I’d poured out too much power. Too much blood. Too much everything.
The heat surged again, but this time I didn’t fight it. I let the darkness take me, but one final thought echoed in the quiet of my mind.
I’ll get answers later.
* Song: Tantrum by Ashnikko