Page 24 of Justice
“Children. Focus. Here’s a tablet with all the channels you need to access the paranormal databases. You might be able to figure out what to do with hairy over there on here while also seeking out the witch. If someone knows something out there on this planet, you can access them here.”
“We can’t get rid of him.”
All eyes turned to me as everyone’s voices overlapped, “What?”
“He’s a part of this.”
“I certainly am not.” He growled.
“The book says so, so you stay,” I informed him.
“What book?” He looked angry at this fact, like I was holding him captive and mistreating him. Hardly.
“Wait,” Liberty interjected. “Whyis the question. Does the book say?”
“It didn’t clarify past the point at hinting he was with us to the end and that you -” God, to even say the words hurt. Does her loving him mean there wasn’t room that she could one day love us – me? I forced my unease down, “you love him.”
“I don’t care what this book says,” Justice interjected. Did he know how regal and stuffy he sounded? “I’m finding my people. I don’t want to take her with me, but I will if I have to. It’s what the fates wish.”
Ramsey laughed at that. “Do you always sound like you have a stick wedged up your ass? Can you drop your regal act for five fucking minutes and be serious here? You were just stuck as a fucking animal for sixty years. Don’t you wish to get revenge?”
A slow smile curled Justice's lips. “I could drop the act, but I’m much more likeable with it.”
“You’re not likable either way,” Sterling added as he entered the room. Liberty’s arms tightened around me, and I knew she didn’t like the vibes in the room.
Justice shrugged. “Okay. Informal it is. Do I want revenge? I’ve never tasted anything so pungent than my desire to personally sink my teeth into the neck of the witch that stole my heart and used it to trap me. Every day for the last sixty years, I was trapped, unable to shift. Do you know how painful that was? Do you have any fucking idea of the mental damage that causes? When I look at the abomination of a leech my fates pushed on me, I don’t feel the joy it once would have made me feel. She makes me feel sour, disgusted, disgruntled. Add in the fact that she forced my will when she commanded my wolf, and it listened, and well, I’m fucking hostile too. Will I offer up my artery to save her life? I absolutely would watch her die. But I wouldn’t personally harm her. So, go ahead and drop my mate and me off on my land, as per fates’ orders and go about your way, for I am appreciative that you took the time to break the curse and free my body, but I will need no further assistance getting my revenge.”
By the time he was done speaking, my arms were like iron on Liberty, ready to pounce and protect her. Sterling and Ellis must have felt the same because they were standing in front of us, shielding her from that jackass. This wouldn’t do. I wouldn’t allow it. My body radiated with anger and one look at my arm told me my skin was glowing, threatening to attack. The only thing keeping me grounded was Liberty’s fingers softly stroking my forearm.
Ramsey cleared his throat and stood, taking slow steps toward the door. “So, hey, this seems a little too domesticated for me, so I’ll see all of you on the next trip? Snacks and emergency numbers are with the tablet, Oak. Give any of us a ring if you need it. We may not all be close, but family is family, am I right?”
The cottage door slammed behind him, and the room was silent. As far as I was concerned, the only family I had was snuggly placed on my lap. Liberty cleared her throat, “Okay, then, we have a flight to catch, now don’t we?” She pretended like none of the words affected her as she stood, grabbed her bag, and walked out the door.
Chapter 12
JUSTICE
It was disgusting,really. The fact that I could watch this girl, know that it was a fucking female who trapped me for sixty years and still have the tiniest desire to want her. It should be impossible. The fury I felt toward her, toward anyone of the female gender, should ensure I didn’t find her any bit attractive.
But yet, as I watched her with the other men, I felt jealous. I wanted to be the one with her feet in my lap, or the one she’s leaning over, teaching to use that portable screen. I knew nothing about her, and yet, I wanted it to be me. I had the fates to blame. The fates cursed me with this desire, this need, and all I could do was fight it. Resist against wanting this girl. I meant every word I said earlier, though the hurt in her eyes when she looked at me only ensured my honesty was smothered by guilt.
I thought it would feel good to hurt her. Knowing I couldn’t do it physically, I went for the emotional jab. But I felt like shit. Turns out, I didn’t want her in particular hurt. I just wanted to hurt someone.Anyone. I knew the fact that she controlled me wasn’t her fault, and honestly, forcing me to stop from harming one of her other males wasn’t even that outrageous. But somehow, it felt like smearing salt into an open, gaping, wound.
Outside the plane, the sky shifted from light to dark, and with it, the surrounding mood. Lights started to turn off, books got put away, and except for Oak and Liberty staring at the portable screen, everyone grabbed their blanket and drifted off. I crossed my arms over my chest and stretched out my legs before crossing them at my ankles. I closed my eyes, sure that though the tension against me was high, no one would slit my neck in my sleep. I hadn’t slept much the night before because I trusted none of these bastards, and Ramsey talked nonstop, eliminating any efforts. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until the hum of the plane and the slight rocking lulled me into sleep.
I awoke with a startle as the feel of cotton brushed against me. My eyes shot open, and my body jumped as I sat up, my movements jerky and uncoordinated. “Shh. It’s okay; I was just covering you.”
Her voice was a whisper, and though she was alone, one look over her shoulder proved that her bodyguard was watching our interaction through one eye he left partially open. “I’m fine.”
“Well, yeah. But it was getting chilly in here, and I thought maybe you might –”
“I said I was fine,” I cut her off, not missing the hurt on her face. I sighed. “Do you want to sit?”
She worried her lip between her teeth. “I should be getting back to them.”
“We are in a can size plane. You can sneeze, and they would hear it. I think you’re fine.” Her excuse was pointless. They were two rows away from me. “I didn’t lie; I can’t physically hurt you.”
“I wouldn’t be scared of you even if you could,” she admitted. “But, I respect your need for space.” When I didn’t answer her admission, she picked the chair across from mine and sat slowly.