Page 48 of Knight’s Absolution

And while she did, she kept her head down to hide the tears burning hotly down her cheeks, because tomorrow they would hurt him again. They would cut and bite and tear at his beautiful, strong body until he was bleeding all over again.

CHAPTER 14

Luna’s small room was crowded.

Eve, Meredith, Grace, and Mia had all stopped by. Eve and Meredith were sitting on her bed, and Grace and Mia were on the small couch in the corner. They were talking and laughing, and Luna wasn’t exactly sure why they were here. Why they’d want to be?

She’d been at the compound for close to a week, and all the females had been kind and welcoming. They were demi as well, all with their own powers. Grace could draw another demi’s powers into herself and use them as her own, like the demi Sir had used to take Ronan’s powers. Eve could get in people’s heads and retrieve information, and according to Gunner, was strong enough to kill a demon with her mind. Mia’s power was fire, and Meredith was an amplifier, which meant she could help boost another demi’s powers, increasing them to devastating proportions.

All so different. Unique.

Honestly, it made Luna feel less of a freak.

They’d shared openly, and though they hadn’t pressed her to do the same, Luna had found herself explaining the way her blocking power worked before she knew that she was going to.

She’d started to feel…at ease around them. She liked the other females, but she wasn’t sure why they wanted to spend time with her.

They all smiled at her, and they seemed to enjoy helping her order more clothes online—even if she hadn’t liked using Gunner’s money to do it. He’d insisted, of course.

And when she confirmed that yes, she did eat and drink a little “normal” food but didn’t actually need it, they’d bought her a huge basket full of “treats” and shown her the communal kitchen on the top floor that was stocked with more food and drinks for her to use any time she liked.

Luna didn’t know what it was about these females, but when she was with them, she found herself smiling a lot as well.

Grace had also given her access to some books the knights owned containing information on different demon breeds. She’d learned a lot. She’d known that dhampir spent most of their life emotionally and physically numb if they were taken from their mothers at a young age, but perhaps their humanity was never truly stamped out completely? It was sitting dormant just waiting to be awakened again?

“So Gunner’s taking you somewhere tonight?” Grace said, pulling her from her thoughts.

At the mention of the massive knight, Luna’s belly erupted into flutters. The same kind that fired to life when he fed her. They stayed the whole time he held her afterward as well. God, they grew stronger every day.

“Yep.” She chewed her lip and glanced up at Grace. “Do you think we’ll go outside? Maybe I’ll need a sweater.”

Grace grinned. “You like him?”

Luna nodded as she looked through the clothes that had arrived today. “He’s kind.”

Every night, after he’d been out hunting, he knocked on her door, freshly showered and smelling delicious. As soon as she laid eyes on him, she couldn’t stop herself from moving closer. He let her hug him, then he’d lead her to the bed and hold her while she fed.

Last night, after he’d lain with her a while, she’d almost asked him to stay. She liked being with him.

Who was she kidding? She more than liked it. When he went back to his own room, she wanted him to come back.

Maybe you’re transferring your dependency on Sir, and his blood, to Gunner.

Was that all it was, this…this need to be near him?

She ran her fingers over the softness of the black sweater she’d chosen. No, that wasn’t it. It couldn’t be. She’d never missed Sir when he was gone.

But you didn’t feel emotion then either.

Even without emotion, she knew she didn’t want to be around Sir. He caused pain. Gunner gave her the opposite.

She ran her hand over the sweater again, then brought it up to her face to rub on her cheek. She’d never felt anything so soft in her life.

“I know you’re used to doing everything yourself, but if you need anything, if you want to talk or ask me something…anything, I’m here for you,” Grace said.

Luna smiled at the other female, but it was hard to meet Grace’s eyes. “You’re so kind to me Grace…you have…god, every reason to hate me. Now that I’m starting to understand emotions, feelings, the reality of what I did…” Her throat tightened, cutting her off, and her eyes stung.

Grace closed the space between them. “I don’t blame you, Luna. I would have done the same in your shoes. I’d do anything to keep my family safe. Anything. I think we’re more alike than you think. I want us to be friends, okay? We look out for each other here. All of us, especially the females in this room. We’re here for you, whatever it is. We have your back.”