take a deep breath, hoping my healing kicks in soon, because I'm not sure how much longer I can cope with this level of pain, even Roman’s body, keeping me upright, is like a razor against my skin. “He thought I hurt her.”
Caleb nods to Malik, who watches me closely, and then almost instantly the pain begins to recede. Holy shit. I suck in a breath of air and I swear to the fates I nearly fucking cry in relief.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice thick and Malik nods, taking his focus back to Morgan, who still hasn't moved.
“What the fuck happened, Mara?” Caleb asks and I stand with the help of Roman, Creek and Kain sticking close by.
“A few days ago, I think, sometime since we've been down here, I've felt something inside of me, like a power that I've never felt before. It didn't feel like much, so I just tucked it away, because I figured it wasn't going to help us since I had no idea what it was.” Levi looks at me like he's about to lose his shit all over again, and I just know that I'm going to be getting my ass handed to me again later when we're alone for hiding it. “Morgan knew, I don't know how, but she took me to her private room, the one above the palace, and she made me lower my shields so she could try to work out what the power was. She only glimpsed at it, and told me I was different, before her eyes glassed over. She managed to move us to here, but she stayed catatonic. I tried to wake her, but I couldn't, that's when I called for Kain... and well, the rest you know.”
Caleb stalks towards me and takes my hand, ignoring the wall of muscle around me, Levi is there seconds later, but I shake my head at him. I know Caleb isn't going to hurt me. I don't know how I know, but then, I've always trusted my instincts. Levi scoffs but stands back, watching the other three surrounding Morgan still.
“Let me in, Mara,” Caleb says softly, but I shake my head.
“What if it happens to you too? I don't know how it happened. I don't want to hurt anyone.”
“You won't hurt me.” He smiles. I look to Levi who still looks like he's going to tear this place apart and sigh.
“Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you.” I close my eyes and picture my shields again, finding that door and letting him in.
Reach for your power. Caleb's voice inside my head is just as soothing as it was before, so I do as he asks, trying not to freak out about hurting him too. Slowly, Mara.
I do as he asks, and go slowly as I lift the lid from my power. Just as the light starts to shine from the box, I feel Caleb leave quickly, so I put the lid back on and reseal my shields before opening my eyes.
I find Caleb just staring at me, eyes wide and mouth agape.
“What the fuck just happened?” Bryce asks from across the room, while Levi stares me down. My other guys all have a hand on me, Roman and Kain have taken my hands, and Creek has a hand placed on my lower back. I'm not sure what went on while I was with Caleb in my head, or how much time passed, but everyone is so on edge it makes my teeth hurt.
“I know what's wrong with Morgan,” he says, shaking his head. He strides back over to her, and places his fingers on her temples. “Mara, I need you to help me.”
I move towards him, extracting myself from my guys, when Levi steps in front of me. I place my hands on his chest and kiss him softly. “I'm fine.”
He calms a little more, and moves out of my way so I can move over to where Caleb is kneeling. Bryce, Killian, and Malik look at me like they'll destroy me if I even breathe wrongly, but I don't pay attention to that, and focus on Caleb.
“I need you to put your hands over mine, and then drop your shields again Mara,” Caleb says with a small smile. So I kneel down beside him and do as he asks. I feel my guys move in closer, just in case, and smile but then focus back on what I'm meant to be doing.
I feel Caleb stroll through