Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale

21

My eyes got comicallyhuge as I took in the room. No, it was more like rooms, plural. Each one had a different theme of sorts. I wandered deeper as the guys pulled things off walls and stocked duffel bags.

The first area seemed to contain armor of sorts. But it wasn’t the stuff from my history textbook. It was techier. I reached out, running my fingers over what looked like a thin, long-sleeved T-shirt. But the material was denser than you would’ve thought.

“Protects against fire,” Dash explained, coming up beside me.

I looked up at him in question.

He shrugged. “Comes in handy if there are ever any issues with dragons or certain demons.”

I remembered Trace’s purple fire as he fought the shadow demon.

I inclined my head toward the next room. “The guns?”

I wasn’t exactly a fan of weapons, but if they were going up against Damien, I wanted them to have everything possible to protect themselves.

Dash glanced to the wall in question as Trace and Ronan loaded a bag full. “There are different kinds of guns that combat different supernaturals.”

I nodded, but I felt sick.

Dash wrapped me in a hug. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but this stuff keeps us safe.”

I’d tell myself that over and over.

I walked further into the room, Dash sticking close. There were shields and crossbows, whips and grappling gear, ropes and blades of every size and shape.

Looking up at Dash, my brow furrowed. “You all know how to use this stuff?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “We’ve been trained in it all since we were very young.”

My shoulders straightened. “I want to learn.”

Dash’s expression softened as he traced a finger down the side of my face. “Heart of a warrior.”

“You’ll teach me?” I pressed.

He jerked his head in a nod. “After you master hand-to-hand.”

“Morning runs,” I grumbled.

Dash chuckled. “It’s the foundation for everything.”

“Okay,” Colt called. “We got everything we need?”

My blood went cold. I wasn’t ready.

The rest of the guys shouted their affirmatives.

“Let’s roll out,” Colt shot back.

I was swept up in their movements, leaving the armory and heading toward the entryway, then outside. The Escalade was parked in front.

Colt opened the back hatch, and they loaded the bags inside. He crossed to me, pulling me into his arms. “We’ll be back in a few hours. Maybe sooner.”

My hands fisted in his tee. “Be careful.”

“Always am.”

I tipped my head back, taking in those hazel eyes I loved so much. I stretched up on my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his. It was barely a touch, there and gone, but I hoped it communicated what I was too scared to say. That I loved Colt, that I wanted to find my way back to him.

A sigh left his lips. “Love you, LeeLee.”

My throat tightened, a burn lighting there. “Colt—”

He pressed a finger to my lips. “Tell me when I’m back.”

I nodded, and he released me. Then Dash was there. He kissed me, deep and slow. “Make the jump, Mon Coeur,” he whispered.

I knew he was right. It was time.

Releasing him, I knew my eyes held that promise because Dash’s blazed bright.

Declan moved in, dipping his head and pressing a kiss to my neck. “Don’t miss me too much.”

I tried to laugh, but it wouldn’t come. “Don’t be a hero.”

He grinned down at me. “I’ll try not to.” He brushed the hair away from my face. “Stay safe.”

As Declan stepped back, he revealed Ronan, who was watching us as if studying a science experiment. But I knew he was trying to understand his brother. I wrapped him in a hug and held on tight.

“I believe in you,” I said softly.

Ronan’s arms spasmed around me, and he buried his face in my neck, breathing deep. It took a few seconds for him to let go, but he finally did, moving toward the SUV.

My gaze sought out Trace. Shadows swirled in his eyes. Some days, I swore his demons had demons. I moved toward him.

“Don’t,” he said, voice quiet. “I’m not in control.”

I didn’t listen. I threw myself at him. Trace had no choice but to catch me. My legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck. “Don’t get dead, okay?”

Trace’s fingers dug into my ass. “Your life might be simpler if I did.”

I grabbed his hair and pulled his head back, hard. “Don’t you ever say anything like that ever again. You’re a pain in the ass, but you’re my pain in the ass.”

Trace’s eyes flashed that bright purple and started swirling.

“Oh, shit,” Ronan muttered.

“Dude?” Dash said. “We really don’t have time for your incubus to claim Leighton right now. We need to kill a seriously fucked-up vampire.”

The purple dimmed to that beautiful violet. “Be a good girl, Little Bird.”

A shiver raced through me as Trace lowered me to the ground, my core skating over his rigid cock. I swallowed hard.

“I need to go, now,” Trace gritted out, making a beeline for the SUV.

Colt motioned to someone, and I looked up to see Baldwin on the front steps. He crossed to Colt.

“You’re with her every moment until we get back,” Colt demanded.

Baldwin nodded, face serious. “I’ll guard her with my life.”

Colt glanced down at me. “See you in a bit, LeeLee.”

I knew his words were purposely casual, a farewell that could’ve been cast at any time. But it still killed. Everything burned as I watched them pile into the SUV. The engine started up, and my panic took root.

As the Escalade drove away, pain flashed through me. Everything about this was wrong. And I couldn’t shake the fear that I’d never see them again.