“I’m sorry to say, no one with my abilities. No one will be able to help you with what you need.”
I dropped my head into my hands and let that statement simmer in my brain. When I looked up, they both stared at me, into me.
I fucked resented it.
“You’re a coward,” I told her, meeting her stare head on.
Helix took a step around the chair, but I didn’t look at him, keeping my eyes on her.
“Do you think I want to be in the middle of this fight? It started out as revenge, and now it’s about survival because he wants me.” I pressed my hand to my chest. “Do you know how that feels?”
She waved Helix back with a glare at him. “I know exactly how that feels. Why do you think I’ve been hiding for so long? I know exactly what he’s capable of, and I won’t put myself in his crosshairs again.”
I stood and stared them both down. “Then the lives he takes, even if one day it’s mine, are on your hands too. You could have helped and did nothing.”
“Get out,” Helix said, situating himself between me and Melinda.
I nodded and headed toward the door.
“Don’t forget to take your fae with you when you leave. He’s been pounding on the shields outside for an hour.”
Not looking back, I opened the door and took pleasure in letting it slam behind me. Once outside, I dragged
in a lung full of the cool night air, letting it wash away some of the anger still burning inside me.
Fin stood at the end of the stairs, his hands clenched, his hair mussed and windswept around his face.
When I bounded toward him, he looked up and rushed forward to what I assumed was the edge of the barrier. I waved him away as I reached the edge of the bubble and slipped outside the barrier.
“Holy shit, Zoey, I’ve been worried sick.” He caught me up in his arms, squeezing me so tight he constricted my airflow.
“I’m fine. Sorry. Something about the barrier cut off the bond or whatever. It’s how they protect themselves. Can we get out of here?”
He nodded but didn’t move as if he were reluctant to release me.
“Can’t breathe here,” I said, voice strained.
“Oh, sorry.” He gently set me on my feet, and I let him head to the driver’s side of the car.
We pulled away before he started a barrage of questions, most of which I didn’t have the brain power to answer, not with the headache blooming above my eyebrows.
“Did he agree to help? Was Sol in there?”
I knew this was a really important question, but I couldn’t even think straight anymore.
I pressed my forehead to the cold passenger side window, hoping the chill would take the edge off. “Give me a minute. My head is suddenly killing me.”
He threaded his hands into my hair from the nape of my neck. It felt good as he flexed his fingers against my scalp. I leaned back into him. Then I felt the healing touch he sent through the bond.
The brain fog lifted. “That bastard did something to me when I left? Why else would I get all foggy and groggy the second I left? Maybe he hoped it would keep me from remembering the location, or them for that matter.”
Fin stiffened, his fingers freezing. “He mentally attacked you?”
I shook my head. “It was probably built into whatever magic is protecting their house. I don’t think he actively did anything, but I have no doubt he was responsible for that shield you couldn’t crack.”
He brought both hands to the wheel. “I could have broken it, but it would have taken a lot of magic, and I didn’t want to force my way in if you were negotiating. I would have known you were dead so at the very least I knew you were alive in there.”
I glared. “That’s not super comforting. You can be in all kinds of pain while still alive, need I remind you?”