guys are shit for protection. I understand finding new people is amazing, but don’t sacrifice the ones you already have.”
There were a bunch of apologies, including one from Ryan.
“We were under a lot of concrete and couldn’t hear.”
“The fey by the trucks heard. Am I that useless? That much of a bitch that I’m not worth saving?” I didn’t ask it out of anger at them. I was still struggling to understand everything that had just happened. Tasha and I should have been safe in the midst of all these men, but we hadn’t been.
“They were told not to leave the trucks under any circumstances,” Ryan said. “We’ve been tricked before. Infected bait them away from the trucks then try to disable our only means of escape. I’m truly sorry, Hannah. It was my order. Usually, there are two fey assigned to each human. We weren’t prepared for how hard it would be to load the animals or to hear a yell for help.”
The woman paled.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Her sun-kissed complexion paled as I met her deep brown eyes.
“It’s not your fault. It’s theirs. If they want to keep us alive, they need to plan better.”
There was a grunt from behind me before I was turned and pulled against a sopping wet, freezing chest.
“Forgive me,” Merdon said against my hair. “Because I will never forgive myself for what almost happened.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and burrowed closer, not caring that he was soaking my clothes.
“I forgive you.”
He exhaled heavily and continued to hold me. Behind us, Ryan started talking.
“As you can see, we get along with the fey. They have the speed and strength necessary to quickly kill the infected.”
“And the dog things? Can they kill those?” the woman asked.
“Yes. It’s not as easy, but the fey are the only things that can kill the hellhounds.”
“Fine. We’ll go with you.”
I pulled back from Merdon.
“You know that Emily is going to be pissed at you when I tell her what almost happened.”
He actually winced before grunting.
“I know you said you won’t be manipulated, but how do you feel about groveling? I think a lot of that’s going to be necessary over the next few days.”
He sighed and released me. Hand in hand, we walked back to the trucks.
“Emily is not the only one who will receive my groveling,” he said as we stopped by the door. He lifted my hand to his mouth. “I will convince you that I will keep you safe, always. I will protect your body and your heart, Hannah. Believe in me.” He kissed my knuckles then jerked back to stare at my hand.
“Why do you smell like Garrett?”
“Ah, shit.” There was a flurry of movement on the other side of the truck. Merdon tried to lift his eyes, but I captured his attention by tugging on his sensitive ear.
“Because I want you to take me home and make me smell like you.”
A slow, wicked grin spread his lips.
“I know.”
Epilogue
An army of butterflies took flight in my middle at the sound of a knock on the door. Already in position to answer it, James winked at me before pulling the door open.
“Just the fey I wanted to see,” he said.
“Tor said you needed my help,” Merdon answered.
Wearing a pair of fitted jeans and button-up shirt that barely contained him when he moved, he stood on the front step, illuminated by the porch light. From my position in the dining room, I could see his chiseled features and the concern openly displayed there.
“About that,” James said, motioning for Merdon to enter.
It took half a second for him to spot me standing beside the candlelit table. When he did, he prowled toward me. James chuckled and shut the door.
My pulse kicked into high gear as Merdon’s gaze swept over my dress and then lingered on my face. I’d gone all out for this. Last time, I’d been covered in puke and had acted like a complete bitch. This time, I wore some light makeup and had taken time to do my hair.
“What are you doing, Hannah?” he asked suspiciously when he reached me.
“Would you like to have dinner with me? A real dinner date?”
“Why?”
“Say yes!” Mary yelled from the kitchen.
I grinned up at Merdon.
“Because having a nice dinner is what normal people do when they like each other. And because I screwed up the last time we tried this, and I want to make it up to you.”