“With my life,” I nod.
“Then Brennus is right. I make you weak,” he says bitterly. “You can’t end your life because you’re afraid of what will happen to me.”
I put my hand on his cheek. “You are my life. It begins and ends with you.”
Reed pulls away from me. “Don’t say that, Evie, or I’ll be forced to leave.”
I pale. “What?” I ask and an ache more painful than the stab I just endured squeezes my heart.
“I won’t be the one who makes you weak.” The conviction in his tone makes me shiver.
“Then don’t be. Never leave me,” I say, reaching out and touching his arm.
Russell snorts in derision. “Shoooot. Like you two could stay away from each other. Tell her another fairytale, Reed.”
Reed ignores Russell as he touches his hand to his chest. “I’m a Power—an assassin. I don’t need you to protect me. I’ve been hunting and killing creatures like Brennus for so long that you’d think it was forever. I won’t let him touch me again.”
Russell chimes in, “Reed and Zee are Prostat Powers, Red. You didn’t get to see them stalk the Gancanagh while you were Brennus’ queen. They freaking owned those evil freaks. So can you be a little less ridiculous and start explainin’ what Brennus meant by ‘see ye tonight?’” Russell asks while doing his best Brennus impression at the end.
“He’s not the same, Russell,” I say quietly. “Brennus is even more powerful now. His magic works on angels.”
Russell walks to the bed and sits beside me on the opposite side from Reed. I push myself up on my pillow and wince as pain makes me dizzy. Russell frowns and reaches toward the bandage. His hand begins to glow. My eyes narrow as my hand leaves Reed’s arm to knock Russell’s away from me.
“Don’t!” I prevent Russell from healing me with the magical power that we both share. I don’t want to watch him transfer my wound to himself and see his chest break open and bleed. “I’m fine. I’ll heal soon.”
“I don’t like seein’ you in pain.”
“I know, but just because you’re my soul mate doesn’t mean you have to take my pain from me.”
Russell’s eyes soften. “What about because I’m your best friend?”
“Nope. Not even then.”
Russell sighs. “Then spill your guts and tell me what Brennus was doin’ inside you.” Russell pulls his hand through his tawny hair in agitation.
“Here’s the short version. He drank my blood and wandered into my dream. I think he was a little surprised that he got there.”
“And he had your blood because...oh yeah, that’s right! Because you gave it to him. You freakin’ let that vampire in!” He points an accusing finger at me.
“Thanks, Russell.” Sarcasm drips from me as I frown, but I’m secretly grateful to fight with him. It prevents me from seeing how Reed is taking this. “I’ll deal with it.”
“How?” Russell asks, not giving me an inch.
“I don’t know yet,” I mumble, sitting up and dragging my feet to the edge of the bed so that my back is to Reed and Russell. “I’ll figure it out.”
“What did he do in your dream world?” Reed asks.
I glance over my shoulder at him before I look away. “He warned me that the Fallen plan to go to war over me. He thinks there’s another half-breed just like me...well, not just like me...a...err, a male...” I trail off, but the silence is short lived.
“How does he know?” Reed asks and it sounds suspiciously like his interrogator voice.
“Molly came across a fallen angel. Finn questioned him and found they’re planning a war.”
“Over you?” Reed asks.
“For me,” I affirm.
“And Brennus is your ally?’ Reed asks.
“I don’t know what he is. He’s my enemy one minute, and then he saves me from a fate worse than death in the next and I...” I look at Reed helplessly.
Russell’s wings flair out in agitation. “You trust him!”
My eyes narrow. “I trust that he wants me. I don’t trust him. There’s a difference.”
“There is a difference,” Zephyr agrees. “Just make sure you know it.”
Delayed shock sets in and I tremble. “I know it,” I whisper. My hand manages to gesture toward my sore chest. The wound has healed over now, but it’s still painful and raw. “I also know that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” And my “frenemy” is coming back again tonight when I close my eyes.