Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies

Chapter Seven

Lexi’s headpounded like the drummer from the Foo Fighters was using it as his drum set. Afraid that opening her eyes would only result in more pain, she kept them closed as she struggled to recall why she ached so badly.

Through the drum solo in her head, the bits and pieces of what happened fell into place. Malakai’s stranglehold on her throat explained why it felt like she’d swallowed fire. The rest of his assault explained why her nose and hand throbbed.

Every part of her was sore and battered. She couldn’t think about moving without wanting to groan, never mind actually attempting to do so.

And then she recalled the wolf.

Cole!

Her eyes flew open, and she whimpered when the influx of light burned them. She closed them again and squinted before she realized it hurt to do so.

“Shh,” someone soothed, and a hand rested on her shoulder. “Here, drink this.”

She turned toward the voice, but for some reason, she couldn’t place who spoke. Was it Cole? Was he here with her? Had she imagined him?

Or was it Malakai?

The possibility caused her to bolt up in the bed. She cried out as her head exploded like fireworks were going off in there, and her stomach revolted. She wanted out of bed, but she couldn’t resist the gentle hands on her shoulder, pushing her back.

“It’s okay,” someone whispered. “You’re safe.”

Malakai wouldn’t say those things to her, and even if he did, she didn’t have the strength to fight him. She tried to open her eyes again but couldn’t crack them without her head spinning.

When cool glass touched her lips, she opened her mouth and allowed the liquid to fill it. It tasted of peppermint, apple, and the sand of the demon realms. She was certain a lot more ingredients comprised the drink, but she couldn’t name them all.

It had to be something Sahira had created as only her aunt could mix such eclectic ingredients and make them delicious. As the liquid slid down her throat, it eased the burning and some of the pounding in her head. This time, when she opened her eyes, the light didn’t burn them.

Sahira’s face loomed before her. Concern etched her forehead as she tenderly brushed the hair back from Lexi’s forehead.

“Do you feel better?” she asked anxiously.

“Yes,” Lexi croaked and winced at the sound of her raw voice.

“Did Malakai do this to you?”

“I told you he did,” Cole stated from behind her.

Lexi’s heart leapt at the sound of his voice. Trying to see beyond her aunt, she searched for him, but Sahira blocked out everything else.

“I’m going to hear it from her,” Sahira retorted.

Her eyes never left Lexi’s face as she leaned closer and clasped her hands. “Did Malakai do this?”

“Yes,” Lexi whispered. “He tele….”

When she broke off and winced, Sahira brought the bottle to her lips again. Her aunt tenderly cupped her head as Lexi drank the rest of the contents. After she finished, Sahira capped the bottle and set it on the stand. When she moved, Lexi glimpsed Cole standing by the window.

His silver eyes met hers, and excitement flooded her, but she tamped it down.

No matter how happy she was to see him, she wouldn’t allow him to roam in and out of her life whenever he chose. He was here and had saved her from Malakai, but no matter how much she cared for him, she would not be the piece of ass he kept on the side and visited when he was bored.

Sahira sat on the bed beside her and clasped her uninjured hand. “What happened?”

“Malakai teleported into the barn.” It was still raw, but her voice sounded a lot better, and her throat already didn’t hurt as much. Her aunt truly was a miracle worker with the potions. “He attacked me.”

Sahira’s eyes darkened, and from behind her, Cole released a sound that would have made a dragon tuck tail and fly. The noise caused a flash of unease to cross Sahira’s face, but her attention remained riveted on Lexi.

“I let you give her the potion, but I’d like to talk to her alone now,” Cole said.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Sahira replied.

Lexi squeezed Sahira’s hand as Cole stepped forward, but he didn’t come any closer. He emanated an air of brutality she’d never seen before. Without the beard shadowing his face, the tips of his ciphers licked the bottom of his chin.

An ominous look clouded his face, but there was something more to the glint of rage in his eyes. There was also concern as he smiled hesitatingly at her. Despite her every intention not to let her heart melt toward him, it softened.

“It’s okay,” Lexi said to her aunt. “I want to talk to him.”

Sahira’s hands tightened on Lexi’s good one. She’d never approved of them together; she approved even less since he’d taken off.

“I’m sure that whatever he has to say can wait,” Sahira said in a clipped tone. “You’re wounded and—”

“It’s fine,” Lexi assured her.

She’d prefer to get this over and done with. It would be easier on her heart if he left again sooner rather than later.

Sahira didn’t look like it was fine, but she released Lexi’s hand and rose. “I’ll make some more healing potion for you. I won’t be gone long.”

She gave Cole a pointed look before leaving the room. Lexi stared at the empty doorway after Sahira vanished, but she couldn’t put off dealing with him forever.

Taking a deep breath, she finally tore her attention away from the open door to focus on the man standing near her window. Her heart raced, sweat coated her palms, and her stomach contracted like someone had punched it.

He was as gorgeous as she remembered with his chiseled cheekbones and square jaw. It was strange seeing him without his beard, but he was impossibly more handsome and ominous without it.

The tips of his pointed ears poked up through his short, black hair. When she used to run her fingers over the tips of those ears, he would turn into her touch.

Now that she could smell him and see him again, she was acutely aware of everything she missed while he was gone. Heat flooded her body as the memories of all the things he enjoyed her doing to him returned.

She spent the first few days after he left trying to recall every detail of their time together. She was determined not to forget a second of it.

Once she realized he wasn’t coming back, she spent a lot of time working to bury all of those memories. They were far too distressing to recall during the day, though they tormented her dreams. As those memories rushed back, they refused to be stifled again.

It didn’t help that he was back in her father’s ill-fitting clothes like the last time she saw him. She assumed he hadn’t arrived here naked and his clothes had torn from him when he transformed.

Even in the too-small outfit, he was still striking and commanding and so tempting it took all she had not to beckon him closer to kiss him. The shirt’s short sleeves revealed the black ciphers around his lower biceps, forearms, wrists, and the tips of his fingers.

She knew from experience those flame-like marks also ran across his shoulders, neck, and down his back to his waist. Those ciphers hinted at the plethora of power he possessed, but it was only a small hint. She’d probably never know the full depth of it, but then, he might not know.

Like her, he was also a half-breed. Unlike her, he possessed a ton of power.

As he stared at her, the silver bled from his eyes until they were once again their beautiful Persian blue color. Her heart warmed further before she slammed a wall around it.

She would not let him hurt her again.