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My lids lowered as a landslide of trepidation crashed over me, encasing my limbs in cement. Air rushed out of my lungs, and blood thundered in my ears. Since the moment the mission in the Underworld went sideways, I’d longed to return home to the ravens.
But after months of being immersed in the supernatural world, the place I called home didn’t exist anymore. It wasn’tmyhome.
I needed to keep to the plan and go to Logan’s. If Hawk knew what really happened to me on that mission, he’d thank me for staying out of his life.
This was for his own good.
Or maybe it was for mine—because if he knew what I’d become, he wouldn’t want me anywhere near him.
“Tate.”
My jaw clenched as tears burned in my eyes. I never thought I’d hear him speak my name again, and it had fallen from his mouth with so much desperation it cut me to the bone. I couldn’t stop from slowly turning, his face speckled with blood and so pale he could have seen a ghost.
Apparently, he had.
ChapterTwelve
The gold flecksin Hawk’s irises flared to life like the lights in a city-wide blackout had finally been restored. “Oh, my God, Tate. Y-You’re here.”
My limbs remained frozen as my lungs struggled to bring in oxygen. Black spots popped around the edges of my vision, and the concrete surroundings swam.
Hawk rushed forward, any pain from his injuries gone, and wrapped me in a hug. The sword slipped from my grip, clattering to the concrete. His fresh soap and citrus scent washed over me, and I choked back a sob. Being in his embrace, burrowing into his familiar form, yanked me right back to a few months ago.
We were finally initiated as full ravens, and we would take on the evil monsters of this world. Together. Just the two of us against nightworlders.
“You’re alive.” He squeezed me tighter, and I winced from the cuts on my side.
Hawk felt it and pulled back, noticing the torn clothes and blood. “You’re hurt.” He shook his head like he was shattering a cloud of confusion. “Of course you’re hurt. You just escaped from—where were you?”
I blinked the unshed tears away and licked my numb lips, trying to think of an explanation. “I, uh, I…” My head spun and pulse raced so fast I could barely concentrate.
“OMG, Tatum Teague.” Roxie staggered toward us, a fake smile melting over her lips. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
You wish.
Hawk sucked in a sharp breath and reached up to touch my neck. “What is that?”
On instinct, I shoved his hand away, gaining a wide-eyed look from him. “I was held captive in the Underworld.” Not exactly a lie. “I was tortured and…” My hand covered the tattoo, not embarrassed but fearful that he’d touch it. “I escaped.”
The blood drained from Hawk’s cheeks until his face turned a sickly shade of green. As ravens, we were told of the horrendous things that happened as a demon’s captive, especially in the Underworld.
We weren’t told half of it.
“I am so sorry, Tate. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” He studied me again, searching for injuries or evidence of the terrible things he assumed had occurred over the last few months. “I don’t even know what to say.” He swallowed hard and jammed both hands through his hair. It looked like he was trying to hold his skull together as if seeing me again had thoroughly blown his mind.
If Fane was here, he’d tell me to run from this dangerous situation before it was too late.
It was already too late.
Could I simply tell Hawk I’d been bitten and turned into a shifter?
That would be a monumental mistake. As protocol, he’d relay this information to Captain Coltrane, and she’d inform the head alpha. Since I was in Georgia as a shifter—even though I couldn’t transform—I’d fall under his jurisdiction. Barric Hartwell didn’t like lone shifters, especially wolves, and he’d insist that I come to his pack.
Joining the Silver Ridge pack wouldn’t bode well for anyone while I carried a powerful, deadly demon amulet inside me. Who knew what would happen if I were surrounded by a bunch of wolves and forced to submit to their alpha and ways of life.
The roiling in my abdomen made it clear that the Infernal Sol didn’t like living under anyone’s rules.
“Hey, it’s okay, Tate.” Mistaking my worry as fear, Hawk slowly drew me into him for comfort, much to Roxie’s annoyance. “You’re back now. You’re safe.”
