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“No. It doesn’t matter because she’s dead after what she did to Cameron.” Xavier turned back to his fallen friend.
“Aw, thanks, buddy,” Cameron said.
“You are not to touch her. End of discussion,” I said, moving to the side of Cameron’s bed opposite Xavier. My eyes bore into Xavier, meaning every word I said.
Xavier shifted as the tattoos along my arms and beneath my eyes flared to life, the silver pulsing with my temper. Cameron groaned when I pressed my hands against his midsection. Power poured from them, the lights in the room flickering on and off.
Xavier huffed, confusion crossing his features. “You are seriously defending it?”
“She is not an it.”
“Good luck trying to get between them.” Vincent rolled his eyes and folded his arms.
I ignored his comment, concentrating on the skin and tissue in Cameron’s midsection.
He met my gaze, gritting his teeth as he fought the pain of his wound closing. “Samkiel, what is going on? We protect them now?”
Vincent took a step forward, flanking Xavier. Logan remained quiet. “She has to be put down, Samkiel.”
“No.” The light faded from my hands, arms, and face, the power in the room returning to normal as I lowered my hands. Cameron fixed his shirt and grimaced as he sat up on the disheveled hospital bed.
“No?” Vincent rolled his eyes, throwing his hands in the air. “How many more bodies does she have to drop for you to come to your senses? Dianna has slaughtered countless and has no intention of stopping. Look what she did to Cameron and the others. Do you think she will stop there?”
“I said no.”
“Gods. Why is it so difficult for you? You’ve been with thousands through the centuries. What makes her cunt so special?”
Electricity bounced around the room, and everyone ducked. Machines sparked, and darkness blanketed the room.
“Watch your godsdamn mouth.” The voice and words weren’t my own, as if some dark possessive part of me I was not even aware of had taken over.
Vincent’s throat bobbed, but he said nothing.
Every eye glowed, and they all focused on me. The room felt too small, too crowded. I needed to leave. The tension built, and the drumming in my head started again. I did not want to harm anyone here. I cared about these people. They were my friends, my family. I shook my head at Vincent and moved toward the door.
“Stop shutting us out,” Vincent said, not raising his voice this time. “Why can’t you just tell us? Help us understand.”
I paused, smoke rising from the few machines I had destroyed. I took one breath, then another.
“This isn’t her.”
“Are you sure you just haven’t met the real her? The two of you only knew each other for what? Months?” Vincent said.
“Yes, months. Months spent stuck together, every hour of every day. You don’t know her as I do. She’s hurt and lashing out.” I turned back to him and saw the complete and utter judgment on their faces.
“You know, this would have been easy for you centuries ago. A beast of some sort got out of line, and they were gone. Do you think Unir would allow this much suffering and chaos to go on?” Vincent demanded of me.
“Vincent,” Logan said. He folded his arms and glared at him in warning.
Vincent rubbed his face, shaking his head. “How many more bodies or attacks on our home will it take for you to realize the girl you remember, the girl you care so much for, is gone.”
Some part of me snapped.
“You have no idea what you speak of, do you? Have you ever asked what I felt after Rashearim fell? Have you considered what I have lost and how it changed me?”
Vincent didn’t back down, his eyes shining with that celestial blue. “How could we? You don’t talk to us!”
“Why would I?” Now that I had started, there was no holding back. “You cannot relate. You have not lost everything you knew, loved, and cared for. You have a fake crown I provided. You all have a home I made for you. You have each other. What did I gain from my sacrifice?”
