145
145
JARIS
I went closer, sat on the edge of the bed and brought my hand to her hair, gently removing some strands from her face.
It was hard to stare at her as all I could see was her in pain. Her tortured cry was very much clear in my head; how she bagged the asshole to stop hurting her.
Oh, Lyric. I always thought my kids were my weaknesses. I thought they’d be the only ones to make me lose my mind at the prospect of them being hurt.
But Lyric…she did stranger things to me. Only the gods knew how much I fought to hold onto sanity when I heard her screaming.
Pulling myself away, I went into the bathroom for a cold shower.
I was buttoning up the final clasp on my pajamas when I heard a small exhale behind me. I turned with the speed of a whirlwind and felt a crushing relief when I found Lyric’s eyes open.
“Hey,” I went to her. “How’s it? How’re you feeling?”
She remained still, her eyes taking the room in. They took longer to get to me, but when they finally did, the relief in them was unmistakable.
“Alpha Jaris?” Her voice was small.
She called the name like she couldn’t believe she was home and safe. She must’ve thought she was still somehow trapped with Caden.
“You’re home. You’re fine now.” I sat on the edge of the bed.
When I noticed she wanted to sit up, I stood up to assist her.
She looked around the room again before pulling the bedcover closer to her chest. The doctors got rid of her torn outfit and slipped a patient gown on her. So, she was more covered than she was when we found her.
Her hand moved around her face, and it hurt me to know she was feeling the bruises. Her left eye was still swollen that I wondered if she could see with it. Her right eye wasn’t swollen but had a bruise beneath it.
It was hard to see a spot that didn’t have a cut on her body. Her neck, her hands, legs. Everywhere. The son of a bitch hurt her real good.
“Do you need me to get the doctors?”
She shook her head, her eyes not meeting mine anymore. “I’m fine.”
I lowered my head, rethinking my next words. Apologies weren’t something I did often, but tonight, my high values didn’t
matter.
“I’m sorry,” I told her honestly. If it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t have been taken. “Sorry you had to go through this.”
She brought her knees to her chest, huddling herself.
“It wasn’t your fault,” her voice was so small I almost didn’t hear her.
But it was. Caden and I were two demons at each other’s necks, and unfortunately, she got caught up in the middle. Hopefully, this will be the last time.
“I need to ask you a question,” my tone turned serious. “Your clothes were torn when we found you. Did he…” I glanced at her thighs.
For a man like me who had never had issues saying what he wanted, this was quite difficult to let out.
If Caden did touch her–which I knew he was capable of–I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
I never knew Lyric saying no to something would feel so good until I watched her shake her head at my question.
“He didn’t,” she added.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “He–He just… tortured me.” I didn’t miss the tremor in her voice. It was enough to tell me to drop the topic.
“The doctors said you needed to eat as soon as you’re awake.” I stood up to grab my phone from the table. “So, I’ll get you something.”
I placed a call to the kitchen and requested a meal for her. Something I knew she’d like.
“How’re the kids?” She asked as soon as I dropped the call.
Was she for real? She was worried about the kids in this state?
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“I’m sure they’re fine.” I hadn’t even checked on them since I returned, too focused on Lyric.
She looked sad as she lowered her gaze. “Their party was ruined.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” I poured some water into a glass cup. “They’ve actually identified the body.”
There was a long silence, so long I had to look behind me to be sure she was still there.
“T–They have?” She stuttered.
I nodded. “She’s an Executioner.”
I drank from the cup, refilled and went to her.
“H–How are they sure?”
“All Executioners have a specific tattoo on their backs. It is one way to identify them.” I held the glass to her. “Drink up.”
With slight hesitation, she took the glass and drank a little.
“So, any idea why an Executioner would be at the kids‘ party?”
I shrugged. “The Executioners only hunt. So, it’s possible she was hunting someone. Maybe one of the guests.”
“And… you think this guest must have killed her?”
“It’s the only explanation we have. Although… the Executioners are quite strong. Killing them is never an easy task,” I added thoughtfully.
When she finished the water, I took the glass from her. I was on my way back to the table when her words halted me.
“Y–Your brother.”
I heard her loud gulp.
“He asked me to deliver a message to you.”
Seconds passed. I continued my walk to the table, dropped the glass and turned slowly to face her.
“What message?”
She seemed really nervous, her eyes darting to the floor. “He gave me an address; said he wants both of you to meet there tomorrow. Alone.”
It was a good thing I’d dropped the glass already. Otherwise, there was no doubt I’d have hauled it against the wall.
The asshole. What did he think he was doing getting Lyric to deliver the message to me?
“He…he said…” She hesitated.
“What did he say, Lyric?”
“That he’d hurt the kids next if you don’t show up.”
My blood turned to flames. Right now, I’d do anything to have Caden in front of me.
I turned around to grip the table, doing my best to keep my composure. I couldn’t lose it now in front of Lyric. She didn’t need this.
It took me a full minute to be able to turn back around.
“Come on.” I cocked my head at her.
She seemed confused and didn’t make a move. So I went closer, offering her my hand.
“Wh–Where are we going?” Her eyes held a little bit of panic.
Please, I really hoped she wasn’t going to be traumatized by what happened and think everyone was out to hurt her.
“Trust me. Just come.”
After a few seconds, she finally placed her hand in mine and I helped her off the bed.
It looked weird seeing her in this patient dress. It made her look smaller and fragile.
I noticed she wasn’t just avoiding my gaze. She was trying to prevent me from looking at her as much as she could.
Was she ashamed of her face?
Holding her hand tightly in mine, I led her toward the bathroom. She stopped walking when we got to the door.
“Wh–Why are we going in there?”
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