“Get him out of here,” Earl yelled, bracing himself over Jessie with his bony arm out, trying to protect her in case the fight moved her way. “This isn’t the place for him right now. Get him out!”
“Austin!” Jessie scrambled up, out from under Earl. Earl grabbed her arm to keep her put, ripping her back much too aggressively for the situation.
A pat on the back was probably too aggressive for the situation.
“No, Earl, don’t touch her—” Niamh started.
Austin Steele was there in a flash, grabbing Earl by the front of his sweatshirt and almost lazily flinging him away. Earl flew across the large room and onto the table, busting it beneath him and sending a table leg skittering across the floor.
“Austin, please stop. Please!” Jessie smacked her palm against his chest, determination on her face and fire in her eyes. She was going to unleash magic on him.
She wasn’t strong enough yet, though. She’d only fuel the rage.
“No, Jessie, leave him be—”
Niamh dashed forward with the knife and sank it into Austin Steele’s back, a nice, big target. Not a fool, she then leapt back and over the island, putting distance between them, ready for his attack.
Banging sounded from the other side of the door, Damarion still trying to get in.
And then all sound ceased, like Niamh had suddenly gone deaf. Everyone froze, but if Niamh’s situation was any judge, it wasn’t by choice.
“What in the hell has gotten into everybody?” Jessie asked in exasperation. She glanced at the kitchen door, her voice the only thing Niamh could hear. “There’ll be no fighting here today. Walk it off, okay? I’ll check in with everyone before dinner.” Given her focus, the words were obviously meant for Damarion. A moment passed, then Niamh could feel him walking, doing as she’d said. Niamh had no idea if that had been his choice or not.
Jessie turned back to Austin Steele and took a deep breath. “I can’t let you free just yet, do you see why?”
Niamh wished she could’ve snuck around to look at his face. All she could clearly see was the blood leaking out from around the knife still stuck in his back. She’d hit the meaty part, so he’d be fine, but still, that had to hurt.
“You’re in that dark place,” Jessie said, stepping closer to Austin Steele, her voice soft and resonant, supportive and understanding. “I get why. I appreciate all the things you said a moment ago. Thank you for trying to protect me. Niamh is right, though—I’m doing okay. I’m giving much better than I’m getting. If I wasn’t, I’d say something. I’d stop. The first time I was supposed to attempt flying, I backed off, remember? You need to trust me, Austin. You need to listen to me when I tell you I’m okay. I know it’s in your nature to reduce harm to those in your territory, but I don’t need it. When I do, I’ll ask, okay? I promise you, I will ask. I know I haven’t always been good about that, but I’m getting better.”
Niamh stepped forward, suddenly freed.
Austin Steele took a deep, shuddering breath. “Would you mind taking the knife out of my back?”
Jessie’s brow fell and hurt flashed in her eyes. “Real mature, Austin. I tell you all of that, and you think I, what, betrayed you by saying I can think for myself?”
“No, no.” He half turned, grunting with the pain. “The actual knife in my actual back. Can you take it out? I can’t heal with it stuck in there.”
“Oh my…” Her face blanched. She grabbed the hilt with shaking hands and yanked. “What the hell… Who stuck a… Niamh, did you… Why…”
“She was probably trying to slow me down,” he said.
“By stabbing you?” Jessie asked, dropping the knife into the sink and quickly grabbing a towel.
“Did it work?” Earl asked, still lying on top of the broken table.
“Why don’t you two go for a walk?” Niamh said, preferring to have Austin Steele out of the house. Jessie was clearly the only one who could calm him down when he was in a rage. “Go visit Edgar. He’s always on about no one visitin’ him. Don’t accept the tae, though. Trust me on that one. You don’t want a cuppa tae from his house.”
“Let him heal first.” Jessie put the towel to his back, the deep crimson now flowing down his skin.
“It’s fine.” Austin Steele delicately moved away from Jessie’s touch.