Page 25 of Blade

I could feel the warmth of my blood running down and soaking the back of my swim trunks. Eventually, that was impossible because Luis seemed to be on a mission to prove a point. By then, I couldn’t even feel my back anymore. Everything was numb and I was afraid I was going into shock when everything went black.

“Don’tLetMeDown”—FameonFire,Arcaeus

None of us slept well overnight and then had a hard time getting out of bed. Sage spoke to Raptor again before they went to sleep. Sloane and Ember spoke to Phoenix and Ares too. The fact that Blade didn’t ask to talk to me left a hollowness in my chest.

That coupled with the still unreal knowledge that some of my friends were gone, left me depressed and angry. I hated that I had no idea that the last time I saw them would literally be the last time.

“I’m still in shock,” Sage said as she stared blankly into her mug. We were dragging ass thanks to the copious amount of wine we had consumed last night.

“I know,” I whispered.

“I only met those guys once, but they all seemed close. I can’t imagine what Phoenix must be going through,” Sloane murmured.

“Their families must be devastated,” Ember added before she bit her lower lip and shook her head in dismay.

“I tried to reach out to Loralei several times, but she isn’t answering. Not that I blame her.” Sage sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She glanced at the time on her phone. “I’m worried about Raptor and the boys.”

“Me too,” Sloane softly agreed. “I gave Phoenix a protection amulet before he left, but things happen sometimes…,” she trailed off.

We were all quiet for a bit—lost in our own thoughts.

“Do you want me to talk to Blade for you? See if I can find out where his head is?” Sage asked, throwing me for a loop because I didn’t expect that to be our next topic of conversation on that early morning.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“I know that you all have told me to be patient with him, but I really don’t think there’s any getting through to him. Blade is too closed off and angry. Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m just not his type,” I morosely concluded over my cup of coffee. The eggs that Ember had made were mutilated on my plate, because after the first few bites, I just pushed them around. I’d eaten a slice of toast, but it sat like a rock at the bottom of my stomach.

All three women looked up in surprise. It was almost comical.

“What are you talking about?” Sage blurted out.

“Have you seen yourself?” Sloane asked at the same time.

“What does that have to do with anything?” I replied in confusion.

“I’m pretty sure they’re saying you’re likely every single man’s type. You have a great rack and I’m low-key jealous as hell,” Ember explained before she giggled.

“You’re like a freaking goddess,” Sloane added as she pushed her long ebony hair behind her ear. “Wrap a sheet around you with some gold rope and leaves and you’re something straight from Olympus.”

I laughed.

Outside it grew suddenly darker and lightning flashed. Ember leaned back in her chair to see the sky better through the window. “Was it supposed to storm today?”

“I didn’t think so,” Sage mused as it started to lightly rain. “Now I’m even more worried about the guys.”

“They’ll be okay,” Sloane assured, though I caught the brief pinch that appeared between her brows. But it appeared to appease Sage and Ember, so I let it slide.

“Back to our previous conversation,” Sage changed the subject. “I’m telling you, that man is holding himself back by a thread. I’ve known him since we were kids. If there’s something I know about him, it’s what he looks like when he wants something he thinks he can’t have.”

“We’re not talking about a new bike or a fancy car,” I argued with a snort. “He certainly doesn’t want me. Um… except for maybe sex.” My cheeks burned and my mouth went dry.

“I’m not talking about material things, honey,” Sage softly murmured. “I’m talking about the way he looks at Phoenix and Sloane when they’re together, or me and Raptor. The way he always looked at his brothers who had found their person. I’m talking about him wanting happiness but not believing he deserves it.”

I had no idea what to say to that.

“Maybe we should back up a bit. Is that even something that you want? Is it something you’re interested in after everything you’ve been through?” Sloane tilted her head curiously as she studied my reaction.

“Wh-Wh-What do you mean?” I stuttered suddenly nervous and embarrassed that the women all felt sorry for me.