Page 27 of Speak No Evil
“I don’t think he was aware of any of this. I think our money was used to pay off someone within Blackwood who could inform Jade’s former coven of her whereabouts and habits.”
Thorne scoffs. “The witches wouldn’t dare.”
I tuck Jade closer to my chest. “You’d be surprised what one is capable of with power as a motivator. Now go, I need to take care of our mate.” I turn to head to my bedchamber but neither Thorne nor Ryker leave. “Is there a problem with my orders?” I ask, the threat just under the rumbling tone.
“Yes.” Ryker says without hesitation. “We should all be allowed to take care of—”
“The city must be a priority, as does the paper trail that leads to Laurel Cove. Do not let your feelings impede doing what’s best for Blackwood.”
Ryker gives me a hateful glare, and Thorne’s lingering, longing stare at Jade almost makes me rescind the order. But both demons eventually turn and do as I’ve asked.
When they do, I break my own rule and portal us to my bed. I pull the blood and sweat away from Jade’s body with a thought and lay her gently on the downy linens.
Rest, mate. You deserve it.
Three days passbefore Jade opens her eyes again. I’ve sat by her side, unmoving, for every hour of each day, hoping each hour will be the one she returns to me.
So when her lashes flutter and the brilliant green of her gaze flashes to me, I almost don’t believe it. Almost think I’ve nodded off and her gaze is merely a wonderful dream.
“Jade?”
Her brows pinch together, as if my voice is painful.
“Are you alright, love?” I whisper.
She doesn’t reply, but pulls the covers over her head and rolls away.
“If it’s time you need, time I will give,” I say and settle in to wait.
On the fifth day, I phone a friend.
JADE
“OUT! Out! Everyone out!”
The shrill whisper—I didn’t even know shrill whispers could exist—startles me awake.
“It’s no wonder she hasn’t recovered yet with you three hanging around and flooding the room with your desperation. Who’d want to come back to that?”
Head still under the covers, I allow myself a smile. Veruca is the actual best.
Thundering footsteps retreat, and when the bedchamber door clicks shut, Veruca speaks again. “There, now how about we air out some of that demon testosterone, huh?”
Veruca’s footsteps are soft and light, and I can almost hear her skirt flitting about her ankles. She cranks open a few windows and sits on the side of the bed.
“Vrahs said your old coven got hold of you.”
My breathing goes shallow. I don’t want to talk about this. Least of all with Veruca.
My friend lets out a sigh and strokes my shoulder over the cover. “It’s OK if you don’t want to talk about it. But from what I hear, you were a real—”
“Please, stop.” My voice hardly sounds like my voice.
“Sure, yeah. Just tell me what you need, Jade. How can I make this better?”
Tears slide down my cheeks at her offer. How could I take anything from Veruca when I can’t even bear to tell her the truth?
I can’t face her.