Page 11 of A Bond So Deadly

“Stop,” I laugh, trying to lean away from him. He only grips me tighter, his hot tongue sliding up my cheek and making desire burn between my legs. It feels wrong to want him after the ordeal we’ve just been through, but if anything, I want my mates even more now.

I’ve been trying to ignore it, but it’s like there’s this ache deep in my stomach, and somehow, I know my mates are the only ones who can make it go away.

Galen must read the expression on my face, because he stares at me with concern. “Are you sure you’re all right, treasure?”

I can’t tell them about the pain. We’ve been through enough, and the last thing I want to do is worry them. I tell myself the pain must be because I finally remember my past.

“Yeah, I guess…it’s just strange now that I have my memories. They returned when the curse was broken.” My mates stay silent as they let me speak, and I fidget with my hands. “My parents died in a car accident when I was young, and foster care wasn’t exactly all sunshine and rainbows.” I blow out a breath. “But it was fine. I had books to keep me company, for the most part, so it wasn’t so bad.”

Galen stares at me tenderly. “You talk for as long as you need, little shadow. And we will listen.”

I shake my head like I can dislodge the memories. I don’t tell them that for some reason I still can’t remember my real name, or that there are a few memories still buried, especially one in particular. And I don’t tell them, that every time that specific memory tries to surface, panic has me pushing it down, though I’m not sure why. I also don’t talk about how I’d been in one of my darkest moments that night years ago when Knox had found me and walked into my dreams. That he had saved me, even though he probably doesn’t realize it.

“It’s okay, there’s not much to tell really,” I say, pretending that everything is fine. “That is, until Professor Yevar kidnapped me.” I sit up straighter then, remembering how Professor Yevar disappeared from the amphitheater.

“He what?” Knox’s shadows coil dangerously around him, and my mates all tense. Oh right. I probably should have started with that part. “Professor Yevar is behind everything,” I blurt. “The missing students. All of it.” I go on to explain all about my memories of Professor Yevar and the things he told me back at the amphitheater. The longer I go on, the angrier my mates get until the air is simmering with their fury.

“We must find him,” Thane rumbles, the deep richness of his voice rolling through the room. “But for now, I think it’s best if we keep that information from the other professors. If what you say is true, then it’s possible someone else may be working with Yevar and the Xalgrith.”

“I will not let him touch our mate again,” Raith’s monster growls low. A steady vibration has started in his chest, and he paws at me, his clawed hands skimming over my skin, reigniting the desire that cooled a little while I was recounting the situation with Professor Yevar.

“I’ll adapt the academy barrier, so we’ll at least know if Professor Yevar enters academy grounds. Here,” Knox says, his expression still dark as his shadows reach for me. No, not for me. Not this time. His shadows wrap around my creature’s sleeping nest, gently taking it from my arms. I go to stand, but Raith still has me in his hold.

“I’ll watch the egg,” Knox tells me as he holds my gaze.

“What?” I protest. “No, I’m not leaving her.”

Knox lifts a dark brow, his attention going to where his brother is back to nuzzling me. The vibrating sound in Raith’s chest grows louder, and he flicks his tongue out, sliding it along my neck.

“Raith’s more human side won’t come back until his monster is sated,” Galen says with amusement. “Especially not now that you’ve explained what Yevar did to you. If the professor were here, Raith’s monster may have been able to work out his frustrations by torturing the male, but seeing as he isn’t…”

It takes me a moment to realize what Galen’s getting at, and when I do, heat rushes through me. Raith still doesn’t have full control of his monster side, and I’ve just told him that some guy hurt me. Not to mention the shadow queen almost executed me.

“I’ll take care of your creature, my mate,” Knox says, and the tender look in his dark eyes leaves me speechless. Not long ago, the man had been seemingly cold-hearted, and now here he is, offering to take care of my creature so I can have alone time with his brother.

I don’t want to let my creature’s egg out of my sight, but Raith’s touch has become near searing against my skin, and the pain inside me is strong enough now that it’s getting harder to breathe. I think I need this as much as Raith’s monster does.

“You’re the only one he cares about,” Thane says with a sigh. “And he’s on edge. If you can’t calm him down, well, we’ve seen the damage he’s caused before.”

I bite my lip as I realize what Thane’s saying. Despite the way he’s nuzzling me, Raith’s monster is close to losing his shit and going on a rampage in the academy. I’m the only one keeping him in check.

“Okay,” I say softly, peering reluctantly at the egg. “But if it starts to hatch⁠—”

“Then I’ll alert you immediately,” Knox replies. “You have my word.”

At that, I finally nod and pat Raith’s hard chest as if to tell him he can whisk me away.

“Make sure his monster doesn’t make a mess,” Thane says to Galen.

“I’m not a miracle worker,” the historian retorts, lifting to his feet.

“Galen,” Thane warns.

“Fine, fine,” Galen concedes. “Yes. I’ll try my best to keep him contained.”

Contained? My stomach flips as Raith’s monster rises from the couch, still clutching me possessively.

Thane relaxes a fraction. “And while you’re gone, I’ll find Germain and Ambrose. Who knows what they’re up to. They’re likely already discussing matters with Lankin.”