Chapter Five #2
“Like it didn’t happen,” Rylee mutters.
“Did it scar?” Haven’s expression shows regret, and I want to know the reason.
“No.” Rylee brushes away her concern, and I know it’s because I can hear them.
“Are you hurt?” I ask, and she turns to me. Her mouth opens, but she’s hesitant.
Before she can answer, we hear the rabbit moving quickly outside the door.
“Micah,” Sally calls, popping her head around the door frame. “A man grabbed Daisy.”
“Fuck,” Micah growls, standing at a speed humans couldn’t track. “He’s dead,” he snarls, blurring out of the room.
All of the male vampires except Luca disappear, and Sally smiles at me.
“This is the chaos we spoke of,” she informs me.
Bash warned me that going out with the family to a club would probably involve blood. Micah will make sure the man regrets his actions.
“Is Daisy okay?” Marie asks.
“Umm…” She looks over her shoulder briefly. “She’ll be fine, but he left marks. The man who squeezed her ass will not.”
“Oh, shit,” Serenity breathes, and I feel the power that Micah releases. It flows into the room, and I grit my teeth.
“My bestie is fierce.” Sally grimaces.
“Damn.” Rylee flinches, and I grab her hand.
“Heath, would you help contain Micah?” Sally asks.
The snake shifter speaks softly to his mate before moving toward the door. Sally steps inside the room as he passes.
“Stay with Haven,” Hunter demands, and follows Heath. Bane wraps his arm around her, and Lawson and Remy move closer to her.
“That’s powerful,” Haven gasps, feeling the pressure of Micah’s anger.
If a vampire is old enough and has gained enough power, they can deploy a gift.
It’s as if they are reaching inside your body and twisting your organs.
Usually, they direct it at the people they want to incapacitate, but, fearing for his mate, Micah has leaked into the club.
The pressure expands, and I worry about the effects Micah’s skills will have on my mate, and Sally, and Marie’s baby.
Everyone in the room feels it, but no one can control the power of an ancient.
Vampires can take the pain more easily than shifters.
“Ezra?” Rylee frowns as I release her hand.
“Don’t move,” I order, and walk toward the door.
I rarely use all of my gifts. My ability to shield others from pain is usually something I would only use for people I love.
I don’t know any of these shifters, but my mate loves them.
In some countries, a white fox is considered a spiritual being, bringing blessings and love.
I’ve never thought of myself that way, yet I can take the pain, and channel it.
Although the only place it can go is inside me.
Standing in the doorway, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and push out my gift. I’m hit in the chest with Micah's magic. Fuck, he’s been around a long time. I understand his need to protect his mate, but he needs to reel it in.
“What’s happening?” Rylee asks, and I open my eyes.
“Holy shit,” Juliana gasps, and I know my eyes are glowing.
“I don’t feel it anymore,” Haven says.
“He’s taking it,” Bane says quietly.
“Stop it,” Rylee demands.
“He’s protecting us,” Marie whispers.
“You’re hurting yourself.” Rylee steps closer.
“Don’t touch me,” I murmur.
“Rylee, he doesn’t want the pressure to transfer to you,” Sally says.
“Why? How can you do this?” Rylee lifts her hand, but I shake my head. “I don’t like it.” She lowers her arm slowly.
“I’m alright.” It’s beginning to ease. The other vampires must have convinced Micah to rein it in. The humans in the club are going to be confused. I can’t imagine what they felt.
“No, you are not,” she grits out. “I feel it.” She presses her palm to her chest.
Everyone in the room can smell my pain, yet I continue to block the door.
“He wanted to protect you,” Sally whispers, and rubs her stomach. “And the babies.”
“Ezra.” Rylee steps closer, staring into my eyes.
“Micah needs to gain control,” Luca growls, pulling Sally close.
The pressure is released suddenly, and I exhale sharply. I grab the doorframe to steady myself, and Rylee rushes forward. I concentrate on staying on my feet and guiding the magic through my body.
“You didn’t listen,” I say.
“I rarely follow orders,” she replies.
“I’m not surprised,” I smirk.
“How can you joke right now?” Her hands shake as she cups my face.
“I’ll be fine in a minute.” I grab her hands and use them to pull her against my chest. “This helps.” I press my face to her hair and breathe deeply. I’ll sleep hard tonight, and my body will recover after I puke my guts out.
I planned to find Charlie, but it might have to wait.
“Ryker is pissed,” Serenity says.
“It’s going to be a long night of changing the humans' memories,” Marie sighs.
“Bash is going to be grumpy.” Sally snuggles against Luca.
“Not as grumpy as I am,” Rylee hisses, and warmth replaces the pain. Her emotions are making her scent stronger. Her worry for me broke through her defenses.
“Thank you,” Luca says, and I lift my head. “Micah wouldn’t hurt any of us on purpose. His mate is his world.”
“I understand, and I don’t blame him,” I say, and he nods.
“Daisy was shocked,” Sally says softly. “She’s strong enough to take care of herself, but she wasn’t expecting it. The man is a coyote, so Micah used more power than usual to subdue him.”
“I would have done the same,” I rumble, and Rylee tips her head back. “I’ll need sleep, but the effects are dissipating already.”
“Where are you staying?” she asks.
“I have a room. It’s comfortable,” I say, and she scrunches her nose.
“Are you going to watch over me while I sleep?” An adorable blush fills her cheeks.
I sweep my fingers over the color. “I’m teasing.
” I know she needs to be in her home, alone.
She isn’t ready for sleepovers. It’s going to be difficult to let her go home alone, but I’ll do whatever she needs.
“What a fucked up mess,” Ryker grits out, appearing in the doorway before he stops beside us. “Luca, we need your help. The shifter is alive, but we need more vampires to change memories of the incident.”
“I can help,” Marie offers.
“Bash wants you here. The crowd is restless and questioning what the fuck is going on.” He runs his hand through his hair.
“Micah is under control, and sorry for the inconvenience. He’ll be doing the bulk of the work, since he can dig into several minds at once.
Daisy is shaken up. The coyote is lucky he isn’t dead. ”
“Just think of it as good advertising,” Sally says brightly.
“How the fuck do you think this is good for anything?” he asks.
“Think of all the times we have gathered at your club. Something happens every time, yet they still come back. They know something weird happened, but don’t know what. It keeps it exciting.” She lifts her shoulder.
“Your logic always astounds me,” he says, tilting his head. “You make it make sense.” She smirks, and he turns toward me. “What happened? I can smell your fox magic.”
“He shielded the room,” Haven says, and his eyes widen.
“I’ve only known one fox who could do that,” he says.
“Now you know two.” I grin, and he shakes his head.
“I think I’m going to like you,” he drawls, and turns away. “Mate, come with me.” Serenity moves quickly toward him. “Luca?”
“Stay here,” Luca says, kissing Sally briefly.
“You know I don’t follow orders either,” she laughs.
“Wishful thinking,” he says, walking away.
“Do you need to sit down? Are you hungry?” Rylee pulls away.
“I wouldn’t mind some water.” I take her hand and follow her to the couch.
“I’ll get the drink,” Bane says, and leaves the room.
“Is your gift specific to a white fox?” Haven asks as we sit.
“In my experience, yes,” I answer.
Rylee holds our joined hands on her thigh.
“I knew you were special,” Sally says, sitting across from us.
“We appreciate your sacrifice,” Marie says.
“You’re Rylee’s family. It wasn’t a sacrifice,” I say, even though shocks are buzzing through my limbs. I can’t stay much longer without giving away what it’s doing to my body.
“How often have you used it?” Rylee asks.
“Not often.” Bane appears beside us, a water bottle in his hand, and I nod.
“On my mom and sister.” I take a drink. “One time, I took a job to kill a man who was abusing children. The last victim was in very bad shape. After the man was gone, I met with her and took her pain. I couldn’t allow her young life to be ruined.
” A collective sigh makes me shake my head.
“That’s so kind,” Rylee whispers.
“Despite the consequence,” Remy adds.
I had never been as sick as I was afterward.
“Noble.” Sally nods, and I meet her stare. The rabbit vampire knows I’m downplaying the aftereffects.
“Can I drive you home?” I look at Rylee.
“I brought my car.”
“We can drive it to your house later,” Sally offers.
“I’ll do it,” Haven says, glancing at her mates. “The guys can pick me up.”
“We’ll take care of it,” Lawson says.
“Okay.” Rylee smiles at me. “Maybe I should drive you to the hotel first.”
“I will make sure you get to your place,” I say softly. I don’t want to pressure her, yet some things are ingrained in me. One is taking a woman to her door and making sure she is safe.
“Will you say goodbye for us?” she asks Sally.
“Of course.”
I stand up, hoping I don’t waver. “I’m sure I will see you again.” I nod at them.
“Thank you for everything,” Marie says.
I wait for Rylee to hug Haven and give her the key to her car.
I thread my fingers with hers and guide her out of the room and down the balcony.
Pausing briefly on the top of the stairs, I grit my teeth and begin to descend.
Instead of dwelling on the pain, I stare at the crowd.
I see Bash’s white hair weaving through the bodies.
He isn’t pleased, but accepts the job. Allie is holding the gaze of a tall male human, working him over with her influence and sultry smile.
I make it down the last step, and Micah blocks my path.
Heath steps beside him.
Fuck.