Chapter Seventeen
Chapter
Seventeen
MALACHI
My fists clench, teeth grinding so hard my jaw aches. He's testing me, and he knows it.
"Say another word," I snarl, stepping toward him again, "and I'll carve your tongue from your mouth."
"Enough," Elias cuts in sharply. "This isn't the time for a pissing contest."
I shift my glare to him. "Did you know?"
His expression remains cool, but something flickers in his eyes. A fraction of hesitation.
He knew.
The realization only fuels my fury, but I shove it down, focusing instead on the real problem at hand.
Sage.
She stands between them, chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths. Her lips are still swollen from Asher's kiss, a fact that only makes my blood burn hotter. But beneath that, beneath the confusion and exhaustion clouding her expression, I see something else.
Fear.
Not of us, but of what's waiting out there.
I force my rage into something useful, something sharp and controlled. "We can't stay here. The Magister won't let this go."
"Agreed," Elias says. "But we're not handing her over."
Sage shifts slightly, arms wrapping around herself. "So what are you saying?"
I exhale slowly, steadying myself. "We take you somewhere safe. Somewhere they can't sense your power signature."
She hesitates. "And where is that?"
"My Estate."
"I'll be coming along, then," Asher says, as if this is some joking manner.
I turn to face him fully. "You can't be serious."
Elias adjusts his glasses, voice mild but firm. "She's not staying alone with you."
I let out a humorless laugh, looking between them. "You think I'm going to let you come with us?"
"You think you're going to keep her to yourself?" Asher grins lazily, but there's an edge to it, something dangerous beneath the charm. "Come on, Malachi. You're not the only one who's drawn to her. You felt it back there, didn't you?"
I still.
Sage glances between us, eyes widening slightly, realizing exactly what's being laid bare.
We all want her.
And none of us are willing to give her up.
"The runes on your estate are powerful, but they won't be enough to hide her. You'll need us to add to them."
I exhale slowly, tension thrumming through me like a live wire. He's right, and I hate it. I should fight this. I should push back, reclaim control. But right now, getting her out of here alive and keeping Sage safe is more important than my own fucking pride.
"Fine," I bite out. "But once we're there, we settle this."
Asher smirks. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
Sage stiffens slightly beside him, clearly overwhelmed, but I don't have time to reassure her. We need to move.
I step closer, gripping her wrist just firm enough that she knows there's no fucking running this time.
"You're coming with us, Sage," I say lowly, voice cold, controlled.
She looks up at me, hesitant but unyielding. "And if I say no?"
I tighten my grip slightly, just enough to feel her pulse race beneath my fingers.
"Then I'll make you."