Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
~ Thane ~
“We agreed we wouldn’t fuck her,” I growl as Galen and Raith exit Galen’s bedroom, striding into the living room where Knox and I are waiting. The scent of our mate is all over them, and they smile smugly at us, not the least bit remorseful.
“As long as we don’t bond with her, she’s not a danger. I think she deserved that after what we put her through tonight,” Galen replies, his eyes practically glowing as he gloats at me.
I grind my teeth as I resist wrapping my hands around his throat. “We’re already treading on thin ice. We’d agreed not to cross that line so we wouldn’t be tempted.”
Galen doesn’t look the least bit concerned, and he strolls over, dropping onto the couch.
“Knox has made it clear he has no interest in her, and provided he doesn’t see sense and get involved, the threat of bonding is non-existent.
I, for one, intend to have fun with our mate, and bring her all the pleasure she desires. ”
“Until what? Her death in the games?” Knox’s cold words slice across the room, and we all tense.
I bristle at the thought of my mate’s life being in jeopardy. It’s too soon after watching her with the nemins.
Raith glares at his brother. “Provided you’re not involved, brother, this mate might actually stay alive.
” It’s a cruel barb that must wound Knox.
He doesn’t show any emotion on his face, but we all know those words would have cut deep.
“We were idiots to use her as bait for the nemins,” Raith adds.
At those last words, there’s a hint of remorse in Knox’s eyes, but it disappears quickly.
“That’s enough,” I growl, not in the mood to watch them bicker. “Arguing about it isn’t going to help matters. What’s done is done. Provided there is no bonding involved, we’ll have to make this work.”
“Mmmm yes,” Galen agrees, “though, I do think we have bigger problems than that.”
My gaze slides to him.
“Being able to speak to the nemins is certainly strange,” Galen goes on.
“And if she does that during the games, the queen will realize her value. Not to mention, she’s growing stronger every day.
Just now Shade conjured shadows for the first time.
They’ll be useless to her if she can’t harness them, but I think it’s safe to say if she becomes as strong as we think she must be, she’s going to draw attention during the games. ”
I cross my arms, not liking where this is going.
“You think the queen will want to use her power as a weapon.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement.
One that I had already come to. “We’ve been hoping she’d survive the games, gain her immortality, and then we could bargain with the queen to have her join us.
That maybe, we could convince the queen to let her help us train newer students rather than fighting in the army.
But if she catches the queen’s eye and makes herself appear too valuable, the queen will never let her stay with us. ” The thought has me scowling.
There’s silence for a moment, and Raith’s top lip curls. Knox says nothing, but I know better than to think he’s not affected. We all knew Shade had to be powerful. It’s the only way Lady Fate would have matched her with us. But until tonight, we hadn’t seen much of her power.
“There’s more,” Galen says. “I have a theory about Shade’s past.”
My frown doesn’t shift.
Galen forges on. “What if when the queen placed the curse on us and it killed our old mate, it also affected Shade?”
“We’ve discussed that before,” I growl. “It still wouldn’t explain why Shade had the form of a crow.” It’s something I’ve turned over in my head countless times.
“True, but if we take out the crow part, it still stands,” Galen drawls. “And I’m wondering if the more we’re with her, the effects of the curse are slowly wearing off.”
Raith tilts his head. “You mean, you think havin’ sex with her will help her get her powers and her memories back?”
Galen shrugs. “Like I said, it’s a theory, but I must admit that when I made love to our mate my power felt…stronger. Hers did, too.”
“This is a no-win situation,” I point out. “If she doesn’t get control of her powers, she’s likely to die in the games, but if she does, she may grow too powerful and draw attention.”
Galen drums his fingers on the armrest of the couch. “Well, I don’t see the perfect solution here, but I do know, Shade has to survive. And if it means risking her becoming too powerful, then so be it.”
I rub my jaw. “If we can get her to show her true power soon, we may be able to teach her how to mask it. Just enough to avoid too much of the queen’s attention.”
“Well, I’m on board with doin’ all I can to help with that,” Raith laughs, looking like he’d be more than happy to wake our mate right now and get to work.
Galen stretches out his fingers in front of him, and he studies his hands as shadows weave between each of his fingers like snakes.
I sigh, releasing some of the tension that has pulled through my shoulders. Then, hating myself for being the one to have to say this next part, I turn to Knox. “If Shade was affected by the queen’s curse, it would mean the queen’s magic touched her at the same time that it killed our other mate.”
Knox’s eyes darken. “So what are you saying?”
“I’m wondering if it’s more plausible that Shade is that same mate,” I point out, knowing I’m about to start an argument. “It’s too coincidental. And the fact that she has no memories, would explain why she doesn’t recognize you or Raith.”
My words wound him, and I hate the way Knox’s expression closes off to me.
“I know what I felt,” he snarls. “Our mate died. As much as you want to believe that the human in the next room can happily fix everything from the past, she can’t.
And sooner or later you’re all going to have to wake up and realize it.
Whether the queen takes her or a student kills her during the games, this won’t last.”
I decide not to argue with him. I trust Knox with my life. Even if I still wonder if he’s wrong.
“Fuck that,” Raith rumbles, and ignoring his brother he claps his hands together. “Soooo, when’s it my turn to give Shade her next power boost?”