the mating link would also explain why Cam hasn’t reached out to Iz.” I had always assumed he was trying to protect her through some backward approach, and after feeling the pain of the mental intrusion, I fully understood that protection. However, my short-lived experience also indicated it might be literally impossible for him to contact her. “It felt as though my brain had been shut down. All I could do was focus on Lilith’s voice.”
“We’ll have more information as soon as her phone finishes downloading,” he said, leaning back in his chair. He’d changed into a black T-shirt and matching pants. Aside from the patch over his left eye—to protect the regeneration and healing process—he appeared as good as new. “Do you think Benita’s awake yet?”
I considered the damage he’d done after finding her outside with a knife in her head. “If she is, she’s in a great deal of pain,” I drawled.
“So sad for her,” he replied. “Somehow I don’t think this was what she had in mind when she decided to betray us to Lilith.”
“You don’t think she enjoys waking up to an axe in her stomach?” I asked, feigning surprise.
“I really hope she heals around it.”
“So you can you rip it back out of her?” I guessed.
“This is why we’re friends,” he said, gesturing between us. “You get me.”
I stopped pacing to cock my head to the side. “Are we having a moment, Damien?”
“I believe we are.”
“Do you require a hug?” I asked, arching a brow.
“I think I’m good.”
“Then we are indeed friends,” I replied, causing him to smirk. “Want me to go check your freezer for you?” He’d installed a walk-in freezer in the penthouse, equipped with a security panel that had made me drool a little. He really did know how to impress me sometimes.
He considered the offer. “No. I’ll check on the contents in a few hours.”
“You really do want the axe to adhere to her,” I said, amused. He’d strapped Benita to a chair inside to ensure she wouldn’t be able to remove the battle axe from her abdomen. That was after he’d handed Willow the knives she’d used to take the female down.
My pet hadn’t understood the purpose until he referred to them as trophies with a wink. It’d served as a sign of affection from Damien—a rarity, but well earned.
“It’ll make it so much more fun when I walk in to play with her later,” Damien said, referring to Benita’s positioning.
“How much do you think she knows?” I wondered out loud.
“Hopefully enough to satisfy my bloodlust.” He scratched his jaw and shrugged. “Or I’ll just keep her alive for fun and visit her whenever I need a workout.”
I grunted. “She’s in for a world of pain.”
He glanced at the sleeping brunette on the couch in the corner, his eyes narrowing slightly. “The bitch deserves it after what she did to Tracey.”
I studied the petite female. “You like her.”
“She’s under my protection,” he corrected. “Benita had no right to touch her.”
“She showed great loyalty by telling you about Benita’s threat,” I murmured, walking over to stand near the couch.
Benita had given Tracey the task of drugging Damien, stating that if she didn’t comply, Benita would feed the poor girl to Lilith. Rather than buy into the threat, she’d informed Damien of the truth—an admirable and brave thing to do.
Her decision had allowed Damien an opportunity to shoot off a few messages before willingly imbibing the contents. Then he’d sent Tracey to inform Benita that the task was done, and Benita had rewarded the human by turning her into a snack before leaving her up here to die.
She seemed to be recovering now, thanks to a healthy dose of Damien’s blood in her system. I’d offered mine, but he’d been adamant about it being his own.
“Do you intend to reward her beyond saving her mortal life?” I asked him, referring to the option of turning her into an immortal.
“Would you support me if I did?”
I glanced at him. “I always support you.”
He nodded but said nothing more. Which meant he was still debating his options. Fair enough.
I palmed the back of my neck again, pacing. The download bar inched ever so slowly, causing my jaw to tick. “How long until the others arrive?”
“They won’t be here until later in the morning,” Damien said, checking one of his monitors. “They’re flying in from all over the world. Rick’s helping direct the air traffic since he insists on working through his recovery.”
I smirked. “Typical