Aurora’s Betrayal Page 13

  In this moment, I’m open, too. No walls between us, just the sound of the hairdryer as he blows away my worries. I watch him in the mirror. He catches my eyes and smiles, soft and slow. His eyes burn with tenderness, and I let myself fall in.

  When he finishes, my hair hangs in soft, sleek curls down my back, and with a frown, I realize it’s almost at my bum now.

  Without a word, he leaves me to dress. I choose comfort over sexy and put on pants and a tank top. As I pull on my fuzzy socks, he returns and sits by my side on the bed.

  “I saw your face earlier, Aurora. I know you’re worried about how we’ll react to this binding and your relationship with Ezra.”

  How does he see so much?

  “You need to ask them, but I can offer you some advice and truth.”

  I nod, not looking at him.

  “Those men, all of them, were devastated when you were gone. And not in a friendly way. Ben might hide it well, but he went to a dark place, and he’s still not back completely. He needs you now more than ever. Jason barely held it together. He might be the quiet one, but he needs to hear from you that you want him as much as he wants you. I don’t know how you did it, kitten, but you thawed Mikael’s heart. It’s his story to tell why it was frozen in the first place, but know he’s fallen for you as well.”

  I digest his words.

  “You?” I ask softly. I need to know.

  “I promised myself, if you ever came back, I would kiss you like I should have done that night. I might act closed off, kitten, but that’s only because they need someone to lean on. I have to be that person, but anytime you need to know how I’m feeling or whether I care, all you need to do is ask. I won’t hesitate to show you, even if it’s not what you want. I once told you I would never lie to you, and I meant it.”

  He takes in a breath. “I’m not light, I’m not funny, and I’m not smart. I have darkness in me, Aurora. I would do anything in this world to keep my family together. I would kill. I would destroy. I won’t always do things the way you want, but I’m always doing it with your best interests at heart, even when it seems like I’m not.”

  With that bombshell, he stands and goes to leave.

  Bravery hits me and I stand. “What about your promise?”

  He stops still like a statue. “I won’t kiss you until you know how you feel about me, kitten. Because when I do, I’ll be lost, and you will never get away from me.”

  I watch as he leaves, and my heart thumps hard. I sit down on the bed and think over everything he said.

  He’s right. I need to talk to the others. I had already noticed the shadows in Ben’s eyes and that Jason has been quiet. I need to spend some time with them. The idea that they’re hurting because of me fills my eyes with tears.

  Everything over the last couple of days hits me.

  A wet nose nudges my hands, and I glance down at Nev. He places his head in my lap and looks at me.

  I lean down and kiss his furry head. “I missed you so much.”

  As I rain kisses down on my fur baby, he barks, and I know he’s saying he missed me, too.

  When I reach the living room, the conversation stops. I roll my eyes and slump on the corner seat of the closest sofa and watch them.

  “How about a movie night like old times?” Ben grins at me, shadows in his eyes.

  “Sure.”

  As he goes over to the movies to pick out a few out, his shoulders are tense.

  Jason sits down next to me and passes over a bag of cookies. My smile is genuine, and I’m happy as I grab them.

  Darius makes a disgusted sound. “Are there any bars around here?”

  I don’t bother looking at him, but my shoulders tense up. Ezra stops behind me to massage them.

  “Sit down and enjoy the movie,” Alex orders.

  Darius sprawls on the floor in front of the telly, ignoring us all.

  Mikael hesitates in the doorway, and I scooch over, moving Jason across the seat, and pat the free space. Mikael glances at Ezra before coming to sit next to me. I offer him a smile and turn back to the others. Ezra moves to sit next to Alex.

  Ben puts in the film, then turns around and looks so disappointed that I stand up.

  “C’mon, Benny, before I miss the movie because your fat ass blocks the way.” I grin at him.

  He smiles shyly before sitting in my open spot. I plop myself onto his lap. He hesitantly wraps his arms around my waist, and I cuddle into him. I don’t like this shy Ben. I miss my mischievous one.

  Shut up, will you, angel? You think so bloody loud.

  I narrow my eyes on Darius.

  He watches the television, ignoring me.

  Shut up, asswipe. If you don’t like it, get the fuck out of my head.

  With a start, I glance at Ezra who watches the movie. He’s not spoken in my head yet. Can he hear our conversation?

  I don’t think so. Now, be quiet, will ya?

  Jackass.

  Princess.

  Bucket of cum.

  I feel his amusement. Tinkerbell.

  I try to stop my lips from twitching. Bum bandit.

  His silent laugher roars through my head. What the hell is a bum bandit?

  You, I think smugly.

  I make sure to project my thoughts loudly to him about how hot certain characters are as we watch the movie. He ignores me, but I find myself funny.

  Eventually, I fall asleep on Ben’s lap and wake up halfway through the movie when Ezra says he’ll take me to bed.

  I remember my plan to cheer Ben up and make a decision.

  “Benny, will you sleep with me tonight?” I ask around a yawn.

  I feel the room hesitate.

  After a while, he replies, “Sure thing, sunshine.”

  He lifts me and carries me out of the room.

  Raised voices sound behind us and anger smashes into me from one of the bonds.

  Before I know it, the front door slams and my heart and bond tug like they want me to go after Darius. I feel him slipping farther away as he heads into the night. I hope he’s okay.

  I project the thought, but a barrier slams down on me hard, cutting me off and making me gasp in pain.

  Ben stops and looks down at me with a worried expression. I don’t know what he sees, but his face contorts in anger.

  I wave my hand in the air. “I’m okay.” Unwilling to let that jackass ruin my night, I raise my voice to the others and shout, “Night!”

  I hear their replies, but I’m already burrowing down against Ben’s chest again, even as part of my heart aches like it’s being torn apart. Is this what it felt like to him when I blocked him out?

  Fuck, Darius. I’m sorry.

  Of course, I get no response.

  “Sunshine?” a soft voice whispers.

  I ignore it.

  “Sunshine?” It comes stronger this time.

  “Hmm?” I ask sleepily.

  “You sure you want me to sleep in here tonight? I can go get Ezra.” Hesitation fills the voice and it wakes me up quicker than anything.

  I open my eyes to meet Ben’s ocean blue eyes, shadowed and full of something I can’t name. His head is on the bed where he must have laid me down. He sits on the floor. I frown at him. Ben wouldn’t usually hesitate to climb into bed with me.

  I move farther back and pat the space I was in, my voice thick with sleep. “I want my Benny.”

  He smiles, but it looks forced. He gently climbs in, keeping distance between us, and I hate it. I shuffle closer until I lay at his side and rest my head on his chest.

  Under my ear, his heartbeat speeds up.

  “Aurora?” His voice sounds almost strangled.

  “Yes?” I whisper softly, feeling him hesitate, and I fully wake up. “What’s wrong Benny?”

  “I—you don’t—I mean…”

  I sit up and study his downcast eyes. I cup his face in both hands and wait for him to look at me. He continues not to, so I straddle his waist and tilt his head up. “Talk to me.�
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  He sighs and looks at me. “You don’t have to play with me, anymore. I know you’ve chosen Ezra.”

  I sit back and drop my hands. Is that what— Sighing, I watch him closely. “Benjamin, look at me.”

  He swallows, but when his eyes finally meet mine, I realize what I’ve been seeing. Fear. He’s afraid he’s going to lose me. “I haven’t chosen Ezra. I haven’t chosen anyone.”

  He looks at me, seeing the truth in my words. “But you slept with him and bound him?”

  I nod. “I did. I care about him.” He looks like a kicked puppy, so I quickly carry on. “But I care about you, too, and Alex and Jason and Mikael, and yes, even a little bit for Darius.”

  “But—”

  I put my hand over his mouth and tell myself to talk to him, to trust him. He needs me right now. He’s hurting and it’s the only reason I open myself up. I usually shy away from emotions and feelings but I’ll do it for him.

  “Perses says I’m bound to all of you, but it’s only been completed with Ezra and Darius. I want you, Benny. You make me smile and laugh until tears fall. I missed you so much when you were gone. I love that you don’t take me seriously. You lighten me up. Yes, I slept with Ezra.” I force my eyes to his. “But I want you, too, so much. It might not be today or tomorrow, but I will bind you to me if you’ll have me.” My words trail off in hesitation, my bravery cracking under my own fears.

  He leans up and puts his head to mine. “Always.” He gently kisses my lips and then his usual brilliant smile breaks out. He wiggles his eyebrows at me. “So, you want me, huh?”

  I laugh with him and see his eyes have cleared a little, their usual twinkle back. I slap his chest lightly. “C’mon, Benny, I’m tired.”

  He smiles and lays back down, taking me with him. I lay my head on his chest, our legs tangled together. He kisses my head gently.

  “I will wait for that day. I’m yours,” he whispers against my head.

  I smile into his chest.

  “I have an addiction to cheddar cheese… But it’s only mild,” he deadpans.

  I giggle at his corny joke. “Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil? Because it’s pointless!”

  His chest moves under me as he laughs.

  I smile as I fall asleep in his arms.

  Something wakes me in the middle of the night, and at first, I don’t know what it is.

  When I figure it out, a tear drops down my face.

  I can feel him, all his pain and rage. It batters me, and I can only imagine what it’s doing to him. He might not even know it, but he’s calling to me, and I would never not answer.

  No matter how much he hurts me.

  I slip out of Ben’s arms, who turns over and cuddles into Nev who must have snuck in sometime during the night.

  Silently, I make my way downstairs and pass my other sleeping men before stopping at the front door and slipping on some shoes. I hesitate only for a second, reminding myself the reaper is dead and he can’t hurt me anymore.

  Opening the door, I wince when it creaks. I hold my breath, and when no one stirs, I slip out into the night.

  Frowning when I can’t see him, I allow our bond to guide me up the drive, through the trees, to the left.

  I narrow my eyes to see better.

  Ten minutes later, I find myself at the edge of a clearing where Darius is beating the shit out of a tree. I stumble back at the pain radiating from him with each punch, like a blow to my heart. He’s so lost, I can feel it. So fucking hurt and scared. I can’t help myself.

  He probably doesn’t want me here, but I step out anyway, and when he senses me, he freezes with his back to me.

  “Darius?” I ask softly, and he shudders, still not turning around.

  Blowing out a breath, I summon courage and walk closer until I stand at his side.

  I can only see half of his face, but when I do, I gasp. He looks like he’s been in a fight, with one black eye and a split lip. Looking down, I see his knuckles are split and covered in blood.

  Unable to help myself, I reach out to touch his face, and he throws himself back like I’m poisonous, making me flinch.

  “What happened to you?” I demand.

  He stares at the ground with his fists clenched by his side, breathing heavy and not speaking.

  “Darius?” I demand, getting angry but also worried.

  He slowly lifts his head, and I gasp. His eyes are pale, like the skeletons from Purgatory, and an animalistic snarl twists his face. He doesn’t even look human.

  “Run,” he snarls at me, spittle flying from his lips.

  I stumble back, a mistake really. Everyone knows you don’t run from an animal.

  He pounces, no hint of Darius even left in his eyes. I try to move, try to scramble away, but I don’t want to hurt him, so I don’t attack. I end up on the ground with him pinning me, grinning down at me evilly. I know it’s still him. I know it is, but fear winds through me.

  “Darius, what happened? Please, it’s me,” I beg.

  He growls, darting forward in warning, and I shut my mouth.

  Okay, so talking is out of the question. I could pull on my bound with Ezra, but it would probably be too late. I already decided I can’t attack Darius, so what am I left with? The bond.

  Fuck. I’m so stupid.

  But when I try to open it, I meet a steel wall and remember he blocked me earlier.

  Okay, so maybe Perses’s lessons will come in handy. Closing my eyes—a stupid move, but what else can I do—I concentrate on Darius’s mind. Darkness swirls there, filled with hate, pain, and hunger. It’s so strong it takes my breath away. As I push past, it feels like it clings to me with every step until I reach the steel barrier of his mind. Praying to the gods this works, I lay my hand on it gently like I did with Perses.

  The wall starts to slowly drop, and inside, I find Darius, scared and alone.

  Angel face? he asks weakly, and I feel the darkness feeding off him.

  There’s only one way I can stop him from progressing further. I knock him out using the bond. He lands on me with a thump, and my eyes fly open as I try to breathe.

  Fuck, he’s heavy, but I close my eyes again and check. The darkness seems to have stopped, frozen like it can’t move while Darius isn’t awake.

  I poke around it, but when it snaps at me, I retreat back into the real world.

  “Holy shit,” I gasp, pushing Darius with all my strength.

  He doesn’t even budge.

  A pop sounds, and I’ve never been so thankful when a certain gremlin face looks at me upside down.

  “Bob, help,” I wheeze, and he grins.

  “Silly witch.” He touches my head, and everything explodes into white.

  I land on a hard, marble floor with a thud and groan as my head spins and my stomach rebels. Hanging my head low, I breathe through it until I feel normal again.

  Sitting back, I grin when I realize where we are.

  “Bob, is that you? Did you check on—” Perses stops in the doorway, his eyebrow arching and mouth snapping shut. “Okay.”

  “Hey there,” I greet lamely, waving my hand.

  Perses blinks before looking at Darius’s still form next to me. Then, his eyes turn all business as he walks closer. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. One minute he was fine. Then he went rabid.” I crawl closer and hesitate to touch Darius.

  Perses has no such issues. He closes his eyes and holds his hand to Darius’s forehead before crying out and stumbling back. A look of horror dawns in his eyes as he stares at me.

  “What?” I ask, panicked.

  “What did you do?” he asks.

  “Me? I did what you said! I brought him back, and he was fine, then this happened!” I wave my hand at Darius, my voice rising.

  Perses shakes his head and crosses his legs on the floor, looking at Darius in sympathy. “Did you block your mind to him?”

  “Well, erm, slightly? Only so I could have some…” I t
rail off as Perses shakes his head.

  “Aurora, you can’t do that. The only reason you could bring him back and stop the change was for him to be connected to you. I made that clear. When you blocked him from your mind, you basically cut off the only thing keeping him human.”

  My face pales as my hands shake. “I did this?”

  Perses nods.

  Feeling sick, I blow out a breath. “What is he becoming?”

  Perses looks at Darius sadly. “A soul eater, like the ones that wander Purgatory.”

  “I met them,” I say with a numb nod. “What can I do?”

  Perses contemplates my question, making me want to kill him. “Are you still blocking him?”

  “No. He blocked me,” I whisper.

  “Probably because you blocked him first. I’m betting the hate and darkness started taking over, whispering bad things to him. It would make him different, angry and hateful. He would do it to spite you.”

  “So, I can’t close our connection, or he dies?” I ask slowly.

  “Not dies. Becomes a soul eater.” Perses blows out another breath. “I don’t think the connection needs to be open all the time, but I bet there’s a way you could sort of mute it, so essentially, yes.”

  I nod. A problem to deal with later.

  “Okay, so what do we do?” When Perses raises his eyebrow at me again, I get angry. “We have to save him! I’ll leave my mind open. I’ll do whatever. Just, please, help me.”

  He jumps to his feet with a clap. “Okay, I have an idea.”

  35

  Aurora

  Darius lies still on the cloud bed. Hovering over him, I think back over the last few days. I should have noticed. I could feel the anger. It was leaking into me, but I never thought anything of it. Nor could I see the pain closing the bond caused.

  Leaning forward, I dab at the sweat coating Darius’s forehead. He’s burning up. Fuck. I hope Perses hurries the hell up.