After our run, we’d discussed those biatches again, and she was finally starting to see their evilness.
Lienda captured her daughter’s hand and pulled her down to sit between her and Dad. “This isn’t your fault. They’re ancient, wise and manipulative. You could never have comprehended the means they would go to to bring about the prophesy. They’re determined to return the king and will stop at nothing.”
Jonathon draped his arm over Mischa, pulling her closer. “Your mother is right, so now we just have to figure out how to derail their plans.” He directed the rest to all of us. “Mischa must keep her word, and Jessa has no choice here.”
Sprawled out on one of the single couches, I clashed eyes with a blue so frosty it pretty much iced all the breath in my lungs. I’d been avoiding Braxton’s gaze. I hated when he was upset. Rigid against the wall, he had yet to say anything, which was far scarier than Maximus’ blustering, and I was a touch nervous of his next actions.
Unable to stop myself, I rose, needing to cross to him. He straightened and right before I reached him, he opened his arms. I threw myself into his warmth. Both of his hands ended up under my butt as he lifted me into his body. Some of the heaviness in my chest eased.
I heard a growl from Maximus; he was still pissed. Not to mention frustrated – his new vampire mate had been excluded from this little gathering. “Great, Brax is too enamored with our Jess to even voice his protest.”
It was better that Cardia wasn’t here, she didn’t need to jump into our shit-storm of secrets. Though we still had to be careful of our words, Grace was in the room. She still didn’t know about my ability to shift into a dragon. I had told my parents after our run through the forest. It was nice to have everything in the open, and even though Jonathon had been a little emotional, he’d handled the news okay.
Braxton didn’t lift his eyes from mine, but he did answer his brother. “There is no point arguing, I trust Jess, I trust in her abilities to protect herself and her sister.” He held my gaze with a fierceness that had me rendered senseless. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want her to go, but I will not be the male who is always standing in her way.”
This was why I loved him, he knew what battles to fight and what ones to walk away from. He was offering me his support, he was supporting Mischa – who already felt like shit – and he was going to help in any way he could.
“Guess it doesn’t hurt that I’m pretty unbreakable,” I whispered close to his cheek.
His chest rumbled beneath me as he laughed a few times. “Yeah, we would probably be having a different conversation if you weren’t.”
I let my legs relax from where I’d had them wrapped around Braxton. My body protested, acting all pissed off that I was removing myself. But I was starting to have thoughts which were not appropriate for when my parents were in the room. As if he read that in my suddenly flushed cheeks, Braxton raised his eyebrows at me, a smirk tipping up the corner of his lips and flashing more than a glimpse of dimple.
Friggin’ dimples. They were weapons.
When he let me go, I wiggled my way in between him and Jacob, leaning against the wall. Both brothers reached out and draped their huge arms across me. Somehow it worked without completely crushing me under their bulk. I caught the green-eyed wink the fey flashed at me. So far the Braxton-and-me-thing hadn’t changed our pack dynamics. Which was a massive freaking relief.
I felt eyes on me and turned to find Louis’ keen stare. “What do you think we should do first, Jessa?” he asked.
I leaned forward a little, more than ready to give my thoughts. “If we are going to do this, we have to unlock Mischa’s mark. She’s vulnerable with only half of herself free, and we need to know if she can shift to dragon.” Jonathon wouldn’t like it, but it had to be done.
Mischa almost bounced from her place on the couch. “Yes! I’m sick of being the weak one with no knowledge of my abilities. I choose to no longer be the victim.”
I flashed her a broad smile. Finally. I was so proud of her for making the choice.
“Will you unlock her powers?” I asked the sorcerer.
He again rested those unusual violet eyes on me. “For you, little sister, I would do anything.”
I snorted, and I wasn’t the only one. The Compasses turned as one and leveled a single glare in his direction. Of all the things Louis had ever done, his use of the word “sister” seemed to have set them off.
“What did you say?” Tyson was the closest in terms of distance, and as he straightened he blocked my view of Louis. I wasn’t tall enough to see over him and he was far too broad to see around. “Jess is not your anything, you need to learn your place.”
“Hey!” I muscled my way out of the men. “I think I can speak for myself, Tyson Compass, and I can also kick your ass if you need a reminder.”
He arched one of his well-shaped brows at me. “I think I’d enjoy a good ass-kicking, if it was you delivering it.” His eyes flicked across to his brothers. Even Maximus had finally stopped pacing and was now standing on the other side of Jacob. “But seriously, Louis needs to take a step back. You’re our sister, our pack, and he is not a part of that.”
I sighed. “I’m not a possession, I belong to no one.”
The clearing of a throat had my lips twitching. I couldn’t help but tilt my chin and meet Braxton’s stare.
“Okay, I maybe … sort of … a very tiny, little, minute amount belong to Braxton Compass.” The other quads faces fell. Oh shit balls, they were tugging on my heart.