Redemption (12 page)

I can’t think straight. Between watching an
innocent girl get beheaded tonight, fighting for my life, and now
having Asher back, twisting the beliefs I’ve accepted, I’m
exhausted. I have no fight left in me.

Sensing my surrender, Asher takes a step
toward me again. “As far as Gage Gallagher goes, yeah, siren, I
fucking left the one thing in the world that I care about under
that piece of shit’s protection. Do you want to know why?”

I shake my head slowly back and forth,
because I can’t handle anymore. Asher frowns and remains silent for
a moment. The only thing between us is the sound of the rain, and
our heavy breathing.

Asher closes his eyes and drops his head
back. When they reopen, he’s looking up at the inky sky. Slowly,
his focus returns to face me. His eyes glow as he steps up to me
taking my face in his hands. The water pours off us now since we’re
both completely drenched. I keep my arms in a tight grasp, hugging
myself to prevent my hands from reaching out and touching him.

“Why?” I whisper.

“Because you’re mine. Because I knew, that
Gage knew that I love you. Because, siren, hear me when I say this
to you. I would give it all up. Break every fucking oath and
loyalty I’ve taken to keep the one I made to you. Forever,” he
whispers firmly. “I love you.”

I stop breathing. My eyes dart around,
praying no one is around to hear him break his vow. Yet, at the
same time, my heart and mind work overtime to grasp what he just
said.

“That’s just it, Asher. I’m not yours. I can
never be,” I remind him in a timid voice.

“You are mine, siren. I trusted Gage with
your safety because I recognized that he is the only fucking person
in this crazy ass world that understands our situation. It was the
same for he and Camilla,” he confesses. “You’re mine…and I’m yours,
forever.”

In the silence of the night, the words he
said hang in the air as I sink to my knees, my body crumbling at
his admission. Asher follows suit and kneels down in front of
me.

“You shattered my trust and ended whatever
amazing future we could have had.” My voice is gentle and confused.
“We’re broken.”

Asher lowers his head to my ear. “We’re not
broken, siren. I love you.”

My world tilts again. I have to close my
eyes and focus on breathing before I completely pass out. The tears
start coming again as Asher pulls me into an embrace. I clutch at
him, needing to be close. He strokes my back gently while I sob
into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, siren. I swear to fucking God,
I’m sorry,” he mumbles into my wet hair.

My resolve final breaks and I say the only
thing I can. “I missed you so much.”

As soon as the words release from my mouth,
Asher’s entire body relaxes as he pulls back to look at me. Within
the blue layers, I can see the underlying desire, but now, there’s
something else, something deeper, more permanent. Its presence
causes me to tremble.

“Cold?” Asher gives me his signature sexy
smile.

“In love,” I whisper.

Asher arches a brow. “Who is this asshole?
Give me a name. I’ll end his existence.”

My mouth tilts into a smile. “No. I’ll
protect him, always.”

***

The steam from the shower billows out of the
glass enclosure into the room. I allow the hot water to run over
me, helping me wash away the insanity of the evening. Now that the
adrenaline is wearing off, the reminder of that poor girl’s death
looms over me.

Abby and Callan were assigned to protect me.
I was their charge tonight. Not her and that knowledge sickens
me.

“Oh god,” I speak softly into the warm mist.
The realization hits me hard that Gage is right. These aren’t
cartoon characters I’m dealing with. They’re killers with no regard
for life.

I close my eyes and send a little plea that
her spirit is at peace. I can’t help but feel, once again, that I’m
responsible for another innocent life having been ended before its
time.

I study the shampoo and dirty rainwater as
it twirls around the drain before sinking into it. Part of me
wishes I could disappear too. Dragging myself out of the warmth, I
throw on flannel pajama bottoms and a tank top. I dry my hair and
head downstairs to find everyone.

The manor is silent. Oddly quiet. I move
around in the stillness until I come into the
tension room
and see five beautiful gargoyles speaking in hushed tones. As soon
as Abby sees me, she beams and waves me in.

I enter as Asher turns his attention to me,
taking my breath away. He’s showered and in black pajama bottoms
and his gray
Property of London
shirt. It’s all I can do not
to run over and curl up on his lap like a kitten.
He’s here. It
wasn’t a dream.

“Come here, siren.” Asher holds his hand
out, and with tunnel vision, I walk over, allowing him to capture
mine in his, pulling me into his side on the sectional. Not caring
that everyone is watching us, he places the lightest kiss on my
lips, causing me to blush.

Asher smirks. The hand not holding mine
lifts as his thumb brushes over the pink hew on my cheeks, trying
to wipe it away. I sigh as he pulls me closer, planting another
kiss on my forehead.

“What precautions have been taken at the
scene to avoid attention?” Keegan’s voice slithers its way through
my Asher focus, shoving me back into reality.

“We staged a large tree branch to appear as
if the wind had broken it off, pushing it through the window,
beheading and killing the girl. There were no other witnesses,”
Abby answers. Her worried gaze slides to Callan who is lying on the
couch, wings out, healing.

His injured wing is still covered in a blood
soaked bandage. Even though Callan’s eyes are shut, I can tell he’s
already restoring his vigor. The color is slowly returning to his
relaxed face. Guilt crawls up my throat. He’s hurt because of
me.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out. “I should have
told you earlier about Thoren. With everything else going on, it…it
just slipped my mind.” I rub my forehead.
I’m so tired.

McKenna scoffs. “It’s about time you take
responsibility, blood of Eden,” she barks from across the room.
“You’re a serious fucking nightmare. You need to smarten the fuck
up. This is not a game. It’s our world. Your lack of respect for it
is affecting my family.”

“McKenna! That’s enough,” Asher throws out
the warning in a growl.

“She’s right. I know it’s my fault. I take
full responsibility for what happened this evening. I was
preoccupied and I failed to mention Thoren earlier to the clan. I
get it.”

“Didn’t I warn you, in England, about being
unfocused?” McKenna bites out coolly.

“It’s not entirely Eve’s fault.” Callan
sighs from the couch. “Yes, she should have told us, but none of us
sensed him. The fact that he was a higher-level demon means he got
by us. All of us.” The last part of his statement pointed at
McKenna. “So lay off a bit, Kenna.”

“How did you know we needed help?” Abby asks
Asher.

“I felt Eve pull my dark energy. I figured
that she was in some sort of danger if she managed to successfully
steal my gifts. Again,” he replies cockily.

“Borrowed. I borrowed them. Not stole,” I
remind him, attempting not to roll my eyes.

“And the council?” Keegan asks, his voice
stern.

“They’ve pardoned me due to lack of physical
evidence. They did an extensive investigation and came up
empty-handed,” Asher explains with a sly smirk. “I was actually
planning to call you this evening to let you know I was coming back
tomorrow, before all hell literally broke loose.”

“Do we really think they’re going to let
this go? Allow you to return to protecting Eve as if nothing
happened?” Keegan asks.

Asher blows out a breath and his eyes find
mine. “No more secrets, yeah?”

“Yeah.” I squeeze his hand, relieved but
also waiting for the shoe to fall.

“They’re consenting to my protection return
on a probation period. Gage will still have to remain on for a bit
while they continue to clear me.” He watches me closely, probably
expecting me to blow up that Gage will still be around. I won’t.
He’s grown on me.

“Fabulous, we’re stuck with the traitor even
longer.” McKenna sulks, sinking into a chair.

“Speaking of the devil,” Keegan states as
Gage swaggers into the room.

“Well. Well. Well. Look whose back. Nice to
see you, old friend,” Gage taunts Asher.

With lightning speed, Asher is off the
couch. His fist connects with Gage’s jaw with a loud pop.
Lovely.

“WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU TONIGHT?” Asher
shouts.

Gage just rubs his hand over his jawline,
soothing the spot Asher punched him. “Out.”

At the reply, I close my eyes because
Asher’s entire body has gone rigid. “OUT? Eve was attacked tonight.
By. A. Higher-Level. Demon. You’re supposed to be fucking
protecting her, asshole. Not getting laid!” Asher roars through a
tight jaw.

“HEY!” Keegan barks. “Enough! Back off,
Asher. Even if he were there, Gage wouldn’t have sensed Thoren
anymore than the rest of us.”

Gage’s eyes flick to mine. “You okay,
love?”

Asher steps in front of me, blocking me from
Gage. “Don’t. Fucking. Speak to her.”

“Asher,” I warn.

“Eve and I have an understanding of how our
protector relationship works. I left her under the safeguard of
Callan and Abby this evening. I assumed that you would have been
okay with that. Unless, of course, you’re saying you don’t trust
your family with her safety?” Gage cocks an eyebrow up in
challenge.
Holy fuck, this isn’t good.

Asher lunges for him. Before he can wrap his
hands around Gage’s throat, Callan is holding back Gage and Keegan
managed to grab Asher. They’re in a stare down.

“Enough,” I say in a low voice, moving in
between the two. “You two better learn how to get along if you’re
both going to be protecting me. I won’t tolerate daily fights,” I
inform.

“What are you talking about, love?” Gage
questions.

“Stop fucking using that term of endearment
when addressing her,” Asher warns.

I turn to Gage, ignoring Asher’s tantrum.
“It turns out Asher is back but on probation. The council has
granted me both of your protection for the time being.”

“Is that okay with you? His return and
protection?” Gage asks.

“There’s no reason to ask her if she wants
my protection,” Asher says tersely.

“I’m her new protector. It’s my job to make
sure she feels safe,” Gage baits.

“Temporary. I, am her protector,” Asher
retorts. “She’s safe.”

Gage shrugs, bored. “Or you’re the old and
I’m the new.”

“Stop!” I plead with Gage. “I won’t permit
you to provoke him.” I turn to Asher. “And I won’t allow you to hit
him every chance you get. Figure out how to work together or I’ll
request Marcus from the Manhattan clan as my new protector.”

There’s silence for a few moments before
Keegan and Callan decide that both gargoyles are calm enough to be
released from their holds.

“You do realize what this means?” Callan
asks, amusement clear on his face. “I’m going to have to call you
GASHER
from now on.” He smirks. “Get it? It’s like
Bradgelina
. Asher and Gage.
GASHER
. A forbidden
bromance.” He chuckles.

I roll my eyes. “I’m going to bed. Try not
to murder one another before sunrise.”

“I’ll walk you up.” Asher doesn’t ask and I
don’t argue. I’m too tired. He snatches my hand and in a mature
moment, bumps Gage with his shoulder as we walk by.

I sigh. The sound echoes in the hallway.
“Was that really necessary?”

Asher pushes me against the wall, caging me
in. His stunning face is intense. Those damn beautiful eyes of his
are unforgiving as they peruse down my body.

“When it comes to you, siren, everything I
do is necessary.”

“You lie to me.”

“For your protection.”

“You left.”

“For your protection.”

“You broke your oath.”

“Never. To. You.”

9
Forgiveness

I finish my nighttime routine and walk out to
witness Asher sliding into my bed. Getting all cozy on my side
nonetheless. Once he notices me, he takes me in and gives me his
signature sexy smirk, followed by a come-hither look that makes my
insides go all girlie and gooey.
I seriously need to get control
of that.

“What do you think you’re doing, gargoyle?”
I ask with my eyebrow arched.

“Get your beautiful ass over here and
snuggle me,” he orders playfully.

I release a quiet laugh. “Are you saying the
big, bad protector needs to be cuddled?”

Asher shrugs. “I’m feeling emotional,” he
throws out.

My lips tilt at his dramatic knack.
Uncrossing my arms, I move toward the bed. Without warning, Asher
grabs and pulls me down. I squeal in laughter. He tugs me close and
kisses me lightly on the forehead before wrapping me in his arms. I
can’t help but release a sigh of contentment.
I must have lost
brain cells because after everything, I still want only
him.

“Now that I have you where I want you siren,
say it so I can go to sleep.” He snuggles in.

My lips form a slight smirk, knowing what
he’s asking. “Just because you’re the prince of the gargoyle race,
does not mean you can demand things of me, your highness. I’m
human.”

“I’ve been dying to hear it fall from your
pretty, pouty lips for way too long. Oh, and when you say it, be
sure to put some feeling behind it. Don’t just half ass it, siren.
I want to feel as if you mean it.”
What the hell?

“You can’t force me,” I retort with wide
eyes.

“Want to bet?” His tone is suggestive.

“Um, no. That’s a bet I’ll definitely
lose.”