Page 100 of Those That Defy the Realm

“The males, what’s going to happen to them?” I ask.

“You don’t need to concern yourself about that. But you won’t need to worry about them ever again.” Declan dips down and places a kiss on my forehead. He must feel how stiff I go, both from his words and his action. “I’ve really missed you, Claire. Maybe this is fate bringing us both back together. We had a good thing going, didn’t we?”

My stomach churns at his proximity, at his words. I feel even more nauseous over the fact that I’d once dreamt of this moment, had wished for it, even though I was the one to end our relationship. And for very good reasons.

I understand his caring side now to be part of his manipulation, but I missed it at first. He’d do small acts for me, like bring me coffee or buy me flowers, he’d call me pretty, even if he then told me to change my outfit because it didn’t look good on my body, or it wasn’t right for the places he was taking me.

But now? I see it all clearly. Henry and Ash have taught me that compliments don’t come with strings. They both worship me, challenge me, and truly listen to what I have to say and amend their own actions if I’m not happy about something. They never push or scold or make me feel like I have to make them my entire universe.

They are everything to me, but it’s not because they demanded it. It’s because I want them to be, I want to fight for us to be together. Now, I just needed to find out where Henry is and come up with some sort of plan to break us all out of here. By any means possible.

“We did,” I agree with Declan’s words, although they taste truly sour on my tongue. “I missed you terribly when you left.”

“Why didn’t you just come with me?” His tone remains gentle, but it’s laced with a disappointment intended to make me feel guilt.

“I wasn’t ready, I was scared.” The lies come easy as I think of my mate and my friends trapped somewhere in whatever this facility is that we’ve been brought to. At least, I hope they’re in the same place as me and that I’ve not been transported to a hospital in the capital. Looking around the room, however, suggests I’m not in a designated medical facility, the stone walls and lack of hospital smell make me think I’m in a rudimentary wing of a wider compound.

“And now? Don’t you think fate is trying to tell us something? Bringing us back together like this? I’ve never stopped thinking about you.”

“You rescued me, that’s all the sign I need,” I reply. I want to hurl.

“Claire, baby. It makes me so happy to hear you say that. As soon as you’re stronger I’ll take you home.” He brings his other hand to my face now, cupping it in his palms. Before I can process, he ducks down again and kisses me.

Two things happen at once. The bile in my stomach tries to break free at the wrongness I feel having someone’s lips—lips who aren’t Henry or Ash—against mine. And more concerningly, the burning in my jaw ramps up tenfold as I feel my canines extend into long, sharp fangs.

I pull away abruptly, swearing.

“What the—?” Declan starts but I erupt into a coughing fit to cover my reaction, covering my mouth with my hand to hide the teeth that would cause my damnation.

“Sorry,” I sputter. “My throat is still so raw from the tubes.”

Thankfully, he buys it and brings me into a hug instead. It’s slightly awkward as I’m propped up in the bed and he’s standing to the side, but he slides his arms around me anyway and rubs my back in firm circles. “That’s such a shame, don’t worry. You can make it up to me later.”

How did I ever fall for this bullshit?

“I will,” I cough out. “I promise.”

“Oh, baby. Hush,” he says against my ear. “Here, I’ll get you some more water and we can talk again later. I should probably get back to work anyways, I don’t want to miss out on the action. To think Buddy had to wait years for this, I’ve been in this unit for four months and I get to put some of those wretched beings down.”

He refills my cup and places another kiss on my forehead. I’m too numb to feel it this time. Before he reaches the doorway, he turns back and says, “I’ll see you later, my sweet Claire.”

Waiting until I can’t hear his footsteps any longer, I slam the water down on the side as I leap from the bed.

How I’d not killed that bastard instantly for how he’d talked about my mate, I wasn’t sure. Thankfully, my brain channelled the anger boiling in my veins into a plan. Declan wouldn’t live for much longer, of that I’d make certain. But I needed him first. I needed him to lead me to wherever Henry was.

Locking onto his scent, I listen for any other presences in the immediate vicinity. Finding only two in the opposite direction to the way Declan had left, I creep out of my room and follow my ex like the predator I now am.

CHAPTER 36

ASH

Dawn had broken over the endless sea and with it the winds had finally dropped.

“So, did you rescue my ass just to execute me?” I ask the question I’ve been avoiding to the Froan Authorities Agent.

“You know if I don’t report this, I could lose my job, get put in prison myself,” Mitch replies, but there is humour in his eyes.

“Doesn’t international waters mean anything to you?” I quip