by J. Kearston
I don’t even have to think about it. “Definitely. “
Chapter 10
Ezra
“This is a terrible idea; I love it,” Vyrian complements, lying on the table near me.
It started as just a small tattoo on my arm that has quickly expanded into a full sleeve. Roses, skulls, tribal; I eventually just let Harley go to town, trusting the artist’s instincts for what would look good blended in there. Every time the needle drives into my skin, it’s something to focus on besides burning my brothers’ faces off. The longer I sit here, the more I’m able to calm down.
I swear to all that is holy, if I find out Soren and Vyrian left anything out or my brothers have one more big revelation for me, I’m going to burn this entire town to the ground. I will march my ass to the sanctuary and find a way to turn dragon on my own. I will take go fuck yourself literally and then tear the heads off of everyone that claims to ‘only have my best interest at heart.’
“What are you getting?”
“Ouroboros around my bicep,” he replies easily.
“Well damn, that’s pretty badass. Soren?” I toss out over my shoulder, “You sure you don’t want in on the action?”
His grey eyes glint with amusement, but he speaks with conviction. “Those things are pretty permanent, little dragon. The day I get one, it will be because it means something; not just spur of the moment.”
Harley takes a minute to stretch and I take the opportunity to get more comfortable on the table, lying down instead. “Here that, Vyrian? I think Ren’s calling us impulsive.”
Even his voice carries a smile. “You say that like it’s an insult. I just so happen to think it adds to your personal flair.”
I shrug before realizing he can’t see it. “Touche’, newblood. But hey, it worked; I no longer think I’m a fire hazard.”
An hour later we walk out of the tattoo parlor and I now have a bandage around my entire arm to match the one on my ribs. We decide to go get something to eat because, despite the fact I’m not pissed anymore, I’m not ready to forgive my brothers just yet. The wounds are just too fresh for that. I have no doubt I will, but I just want some space for now.
I’m just surprised it’s as easy to get along with Vyrian as it is Soren. We make it through lunch and are just wandering around since we have no pressing matters and nowhere to go. The downside is I wasn’t lying; this town is boring as all get out. I now recognize that I should be grateful for it, but still, I’m restless by nature.
“I’m glad I didn’t sleep any later,” Vyrian says as we walk, “I didn’t realize you were going to be nearly a week early for our date.”
I give him a look. “I don’t think that counts as a date.”
Soren clucks his tongue and I tilt my head up to look at the massive man. “As you established at the diner with Vince, a date is as simple as doing something together and talking about yourselves.”
I snort. “Well I’ll admit, it was way less painful this time; even having a needle constantly jabbed into my skin.”
At Vyrian’s confused look, Soren and I fill him in on the awkward failure of my previous date. While he looks mildly amused, he appears just as upset about the fact.
“You think he would have really grabbed her if you weren’t there, Ren?” he asks quietly.
I stop walking, replaying the incident in a new light now that I have all of the facts. The way Soren seemed so upset and refused to take his hand off my shoulder or leave the shop, how cold he got.
Fuck, this is exactly what they meant. Now I’m going to think everyone is trying to bag and tag me. I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to look at anyone without harsh scrutiny again.
“He came there looking for her and tried to manipulate her hoarding instinct. I wouldn’t put it past him,” Soren rumbles.
I really need to make that list so I can scribble a note next to Vince’s name. Maybe it can serve a dual purpose; eliminating mates and potential hit list.
I try to bring back the easy air we had going. “That mean you want to cancel next week, Vyrian?”
He looks horrified and I wrestle back my huge grin at how charming it is. “Excuse you, young lady, but today was a bonus day. I still get my turn. And Yri’s fine, barely anyone actually calls me Vyrian.”
“Then why didn’t you introduce yourself that way at the store?”
We start heading back in the direction of their house, since I can’t think of anything else to do.
“We have a fresh start here and I wasn’t about to start it off by being a liar,” he states simply, lifting one shoulder in a shrug.
After everything I’ve discovered over the last few days, I doubt he even knows how much I appreciate the sentiment. I could use a little blanket honesty; no sparing my feelings, no trying to bullshit yourself into looking better. I’d rather blunt truths even if they sting any day. The way Vyrian wears his heart on his sleeve is a breath of fresh air.
We make it back to their house and Soren practically forces me to take it easy lying on the couch. He just can’t seem to wrap his head around the fact I got stabbed in the leg, fractured two ribs, and spent the afternoon walking around town like nothing happened. Little does he know this is nothing compared to some of our training sessions, but it would only serve to piss him off worse if I pointed it out.
“You’re being a little overprotective here, Ren.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “You’re paying me to be your bodyguard. If you’re not going to let me intervene in your ‘training’ sessions, at least let me make sure you make a full recovery.” When he smirks, I assume he’s fully aware of the effect his words have on me.
The rest of the evening passes with me thoroughly enjoying their company, getting to know them a bit better and staying for dinner. When Caius comes home?
Priceless.
“Guys, I-“ he cuts off, eyes widening when he realizes I’m there.
He’s drenched in sweat, yet smells of pine, which is a good look on the man. He was in the middle of peeling his shirt off the second he walked in the door, leaving every last muscle on display.
“What are you doing here?” he demands.
I take another handful of chips before I answer him, drawing it out and making him sweat. “I’ve been abducted and put on bed rest, blame your flight.”
He turns to Yri and Ren, raising an eyebrow. Soren gives him the abridged version and his eyes cut to me, or more appropriately, all of my bandages. I’ve got to admit, as much as it’s unnecessary, it’s nice having people fret over me. I spend so much time trying to prove how absolutely amazing I am, that it’s a nice change of pace. Not that I’d say it to their faces and give them the wrong idea.
His blue eyes turn frigid, radiating the icy promise of death. He doesn’t say a word, nothing to give me a hint at where his thoughts are. As quickly as he arrived he disappears, the faint sound of the shower traveling down the hall.
When night falls, I know I need to quit avoiding the problem and go home. Yet, I just can’t seem to find the will to make my feet move. I know my brothers will be pissed, but right now? Fuck ‘em. What am I even supposed to say when I see them? ‘Hey, I know you lied to me my whole life, but it’s cool?’ It’s not. It fucking hurts that the people I trust and rely on more than anyone in this world pulled this shit.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
You could hear a feather fall, it’s so quiet. Neither Soren nor Vyrian answer right away, so I just start rambling in a bid to defend my case, but Soren cuts me off.
“You can take my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch,” he decides, and I release a heavy breath in relief.
“Thanks.”
An hour later I find myself tossing and turning in his massive bed, the scent of charcoal overwhelming my senses. As comforting as it is, it’s really fucking distracting.
This was a terrible idea, what was I thinking? The triplets are going to lose their shit. Do they even know where Vyrian lives? No, they w
ould have shown up by now. Why wouldn’t Eli have blabbed? Fuck, I’m in over my head.
No. I’m a goddamn adult, and the triplets can suck a big, fat, dragon dick.
***
“What are you doing?”
Soren is slumped against the wall outside of the door to his room, looking far from comfortable.
“You were agitated. I couldn’t very well sleep, assuming someone was going to try barging into the house,” he defends, rubbing his eyes and making me feel insanely guilty.
What a nice, roundabout way of saying my wet dreams didn’t go unnoticed.
“Sorry.”
He gives me an amused smile. “Nothing to be sorry for, little dragon. Part of the job.”
I extend a hand to help him to his feet. “Still, it was a dick move on my end. I kicked you out of your bed and you ended up sleeping on the floor because I was having a bitchfit. Not my best moment.”
He takes my hand, but doesn’t let me support any of his weight. “You’re fine, stop,” he decrees as we head towards the kitchen.
I hop up on the counter out of habit, a small pang of longing stabbing me in the chest when Elias doesn’t join me like usual. “It was that noticeable?” I ask, slightly mortified.
He smirks. “Just a little.”
He makes breakfast while I check my tattoo and apply the special lotion they gave me to it. My side is bruised to hell, but I’ll live. It helps to draw my attention away from the stinging in my leg, so that’s a plus. Another day and I suspect my ribs will be the only thing to bother me. I can push through it without much effort, though; this isn’t my first rodeo.
Vyrian joins us at the table when food’s ready and the three of us fall into a similar pattern of yesterday. I have to wonder if Yri had a similar reaction as the others with all of my tossing and turning. Did Soren have to toss him back to his room, or was he more immune like Ren seems to be?
“Where’s Caius?”
Yri’s unusual red eyes glint in amusement. “He had to go to work and was gone long before any of us woke up.”
Soren chimes in, “Where’d he finally get hired?”
Yri smiles. “Lumberjack. He might actually have it rougher than I do.” His smile falters as he glances at me and back to his plate. “If I still have a job tomorrow, that is.”
Shit. Soren was right to use impulsive as an insult. I didn’t even think about how this might affect them, was too caught up in my own issues.
“They won’t fire you,” I state with absolute conviction. “I’ll make sure of it.”
He reaches over and pats my hand as he heads to the sink to start cleaning up. “If they do, so be it. That job is hard as hell in the first place; I can just find somewhere new if it comes down to it. Really, Ezra, don’t make things more stressful on yourself for my sake.”
I groan, which promptly has Soren insisting to check my wounds despite my protests. I shoo him away so that I can start helping clean up, unused to just sitting around as much as they’ve had me doing.
“Time to rip off the band aid,” I decide, knowing I can’t put it off any longer. “You might want to stay here, Ren; this is likely going to get ugly.”
He scoffs. “All the more reason to be there then. I’m not about to hide behind you while you fight battles for me anymore than you wish to be treated as such. I refuse to let you face things alone when they’ll no doubt be livid you didn’t come home last night and return covered in my scent.”
He’s going to quickly build up an immunity to me if he keeps saying stuff like that. Fuck.
With a deep breath and a nod, we head back home, Yri insisting on not being left out. He’s easy to be around, comfortable. If this is what dating is supposed to actually feel like, I’m all for it. No cringe worthy awkwardness, no pressure; just hanging out together.
“Ez,” Kinsley sighs in relief, tugging me into a tight hug. At my hiss, he promptly lets go and tugs my shirt up to get his first look at my ribs, looking repentant. “Fuck, that looks bad. Want an ice pack?”
I bat his hands off. “I’m fine.”
“You have two fractured ribs,” Soren growls. “That’s not ‘fine’.”
Kinsley looks between him and me, grabbing my arm to pull me closer and smell my hair. “Ezra, what did you do?” he demands.
I get pissed. Really fucking pissed. “You really just don’t have any faith in me, do you?” I spit.
At this point, Kaiden and Elias show up behind Kinsley in the doorway, Kaiden shoving past him to check me over. Elias looks more nervous, staying back and just watching for now. After the way we parted, I’m not surprised.
Kaiden catches Soren’s scent all over me first, interpreting his own version of events, and whirls around like he’s going to try to beat the shit out of him. I wrap my hand around his wrist, glaring at him.
“Hold the fuck up here. You all agreed I could date as long as I kept the chastity belt in place, so you don’t have any right to be mad! Especially because if you actually fuckin’ asked me instead of jumping to conclusions, you’d know that nothing happened!”
I don’t release my hold, staring him down in challenge. Elias is completely right; I pull my punches because I don’t want to hurt them. If I didn’t, it wouldn’t matter that I’m banged up; I will kick his ass right here and now if he continues to push the issue just to make a point.
It’s not healthy. It’s a barbaric and savage way of living, but they’re the ones that encouraged it. I don’t want to have to come to blows to make a point and I don’t want to scream at them. I don’t want to lash out and hurt them just because of how deeply they hurt me.
But I will if I need to, because I’ve reached my breaking point.
They were right; now that I know, I can’t go back to living the way I’ve been. I can’t trust anything out of their mouths if even this one thing they gave their blessing on, they act otherwise. They’ve spent so much time trying to protect me from a war-stricken world, they’re blind to the way I’m already burning.
Kaiden is a stubborn bastard and holds out a solid three minutes before yanking his arm back and glaring at the handprint seared into his flesh like a bracelet. His eyes flash with his barely restrained anger, Kinsley putting a hand on his shoulder in a bid to diffuse the situation.
“You’re alright?” he confirms and I nod with a single jerk of my head.
“Where’s Kahl?”
“Looking for you,” Kaiden grits out, pulling out his phone to call our brother. “Since Eli refused to fucking crack.”
I feel a stab of guilt, but refuse to show it. We wait in tense silence and ever mounting tension until Kahl gets home. Sighing in relief, he pulls me into a hug that doesn’t hold a single spec of anger.
“We were worried sick, Ez. Why didn’t you take your phone with you?” he asks calmly, still not letting go.
“Forgot to grab it before they were dragging me to the hospital,” I mumble.
He nods, because I’m sure Elias filled them in on nearly everything they missed while they were lying unconscious in the backyard. “And they filled in the gaps from where Elias left off I assume?” I nod with his heavy sigh. “We just wanted you to be able to be happy for a little bit, Ez. We already lost our parents, the world was going to shit, and,” he trails off, pulling back so I can look him in the eye. “And I fucked up. I’m sorry.”
I swipe a hand over my face, my anger deflating as it always eventually does. Kaiden and I are like water and oil, but Kahl and Elias are always able to breach my defenses far too easily.
“Now what?”
Kahl furrows his brow. “Now you come home. Nothing’s changed, Ez; you’re just aware of it now. Date, pick your mates, and when it’s time to go to the sanctuary, we’ll make a plan.”
It feels so...anticlimactic after everything, but he’s right. I turn to Elias, whose expression is guarded and wary. I hate that more than this whole situation, despise the distance that’s already growing between us. We’ve been throug
h everything together, we’re supposed to be stronger than this.
“You have a match in five days. If you aren’t going to finish that book report you keep putting off, you should be training.” I give him my best mom look, full of stern disapproval.
His lip twitches and he comes over to ruffle my hair. “Run drills with me?”
I lean my head on his shoulder, missing the boy that was small enough to sit on my hip, but proud of the person he’s becoming despite my nostalgia.
“Always.”
Chapter 11
Soren
“It’s healing faster than I would have imagined,” I admit , surprised.
The bruising around Ezra’s ribs has faded to just faint yellow discoloration and she seems to have full range of motion without showing signs of pain. She tugs her camouflaged t-shirt back into place, not that it does any good. With her shock of bright red hair, she’s like a flame in the forest.
“Told ‘ya,” she counters with a smirk. “You need to stop worrying so much, Ren.”
“Here.” Vyrian takes his hat off and passes it to her to tuck her hair inside. It doesn’t fully make her blend into the woods, but it’s an improvement.
We decided to head into the forest bordering Hadeon for our date. Although it was originally meant to be her time with Yri, she suggested ‘let’s just make it a threesome,’ casually, no doubt choosing her words for exactly the images it brought with them. I’ve spent every day being her shadow since the bookstore, but today feels different for the sole reason of her blurring that line.
Not that I’m complaining in the slightest.
She was completely right and besides the Gauntlet or going out to eat, there isn’t much to do in this town. Thus, we had to get inventive for our group date. At Yri’s suggestion, the vote was unanimous and we geared up within minutes before leaving the house.
Cai’s been avoiding us, so he must obviously be hiding something. In a town without anything to do, there’s nothing more appealing than a mystery.
