Then she reaches for me, and I slam the door shut.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Auston growls. “Is she fucking serious right now?”
“At least she didn’t call you stallion this time,” I say, trying to placate him.
The guys laugh, and I move to sit back down as the door flies open again.
My heart stutters as I gaze at the woman standing before me. She is the most hauntingly beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Sandy blonde hair cascading over her bare shoulders. Bright blue eyes that I’ve so easily fallen for.
It’s Hadley.
And she’s completely naked.
Chapter 22
Hadley
They’re here. They’re safe.
Those words repeat in my head like a mantra as I turn from one man to the next. Tears blur my vision, but I stubbornly keep them from falling.
My gaze latches on Karston who is sitting on the bed, mouth agape. His blond hair is rumpled, giving him an almost disheveled look. Fuck, what did Caius do to him? I scan his body for any noticeable injuries and nearly sag in relief when my search proves futile. Besides being pale, he appears relatively unharmed.
Which means Caius spared him.
For me.
I’m under no illusion that he did it for the Ghost himself.
Auston and Preston have both pulled up chairs beside Karston’s bed. Auston’s pure white hair is haphazardly tied back in a messy man-bun, accentuating his strong jawline, luscious lips, and fathomless blue eyes. His glorious, pearlescent wings fan out around him.
Preston's own dark hair is slicked away from his face, one stubborn strand sticking to his cheek as his scythe materializes into his hand. He holds it almost indolently, like a child would clutch at a blanket or stuffed animal for comfort. For a brief moment, I worry he’ll hurt himself—or others—with that weapon. Does he even know how to use that thing?
Braxton perches languidly on the bed, his black, spindly wings fluttering around him. His dark eyes penetrate me, flaying me open until I’m standing before him gutted and dying, my heart on display for all to see.
They’re alive. They’re safe.
My entire perusal only lasts a second, but it feels like an eternity. In the next second, all four brothers surround me, weapons extended.
“We’re going to kill you, Caius,” Brax bites out scathingly. The look in his eyes goes beyond anger, beyond vengeance. It’s hatred.
My heart shrivels in my chest at being on the receiving end of such a look.
“Wait,” I begin, my voice pleading.
“Are you trying to distract us with her sexy boobies?” Preston stutters out, cheeks immediately heating. He attempts to take a threatening step closer, scythe extended, only to trip over the leg of his chair. Auston grabs the back of his shirt before the clumsy Reaper can impale himself.
“It’s me!” I beg them to believe me, implore them with my eyes. I can’t blame them for being cautious. God only knows what they’ve endured while Caius was in control of my body.
“Brax, please.” I turn first towards my brooding Demon. His eyes are harsh and unforgiving as he meets my pleading gaze.
“It’s me.” I fall to my knees, suddenly unbearably tired. “It’s me.”
It’s Auston who breaks away from the others first, eyes wide with awe and wonderment.
“Had?” he asks softly, almost tentatively. The tears begin to flow faster now, cascading down my cheeks and settling on my slightly parted lips.
“It’s me,” I repeat, staring up into his riveting eyes framed by thick lashes. Slowly, gauging his reaction, I climb to my feet and lift my hand to cup his cheek. A myriad of emotions flicker across his handsome face before it settles on one—love.
He nuzzles against my hand like a cat seeking comfort from its owner. Tears spring to his eyes as he pulls me completely against him, burying his face in my hair.
“You’re here, you’re here,” he whispers repeatedly, rocking our bodies side to side.
Preston leans down beside us, eyes radiating wonderment and a possessive joy.
“I’m so happy you’re okay,” he whispers, trailing a finger down my cheek. In a move completely uncharacteristic of my timid Reaper, he crushes his lips to mine, seemingly unconcerned that I’m still in his brother's arms. I kiss him back with a feverish intensity, licks of fire dancing just beneath my skin. When I pull my lips away from his, a delicate blush has climbed up his neck and settled in his cheeks.
“It’s my sex skills, isn’t it?” Karston asks with a wry tilt to his lips. Despite his teasing tone, his voice wavers slightly, as if he’s overcome by a strong emotion. “You couldn’t resist coming back for more.”
“Definitely.” I extend my arms to him, and he wastes no time pulling me to him. I squeal as I’m lifted from Auston, encompassed fully in my flirty Ghost. I breathe in his familiar scent, the feel of him soothing my ravaged emotions.
When he puts me back on my feet, I turn towards the last man. The only one who hasn’t come to me yet. A brief sliver of pain embeds itself into my heart, but I brush it away in annoyance. It’s understandable that Brax is wary around me. He’s always been the protector.
His eyes are cold, cynical, as I take a wobbly step towards him.
“Brax,” I whisper, extending a hand. It’s his choice whether or not he takes it. Always his choice.
I can see the battle in his eyes, the war raging just beneath the surface. And I can also see when his resolve crumbles, and he breaches the distance between us in two long strides. His arms are iron vises around me, but instead of feeling smothered, I feel loved. Cherished. Safe.
It takes me a long moment to realize he’s trembling. When I pull back, I’m stunned to see tears in his eyes. I catch one with the pad of my thumb just before it can fall.
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t save you,” he rasps brokenly, and I see the anguish in his eyes—as if he has failed me.
“I didn’t need you to save me,” I reply, voice choked. I smile softly as tears trail down my cheeks. “I needed to save myself. Only I can defeat the Darkness.”
The pain in my heart intensifies as I think of Caius. Will he keep his promise and leave me—and the rest of the souls—alone? Did I want him to? He’s a drug that I know is bad for me, yet I’m helpless to resist.
“What happened, Baby?” Auston murmurs, sidling up behind me and pulling me against his chiseled chest. I automatically drop my arms from Brax and rest my head on Auston’s shoulder as Preston drapes a blanket around me.
“I didn’t know what was real,” I begin, the inevitable confession clawing at my heart. I know I need to tell them the truth, the entire, painful truth, but I’m afraid I’ll lose a piece of myself in the process. My heart is already shattered, and all I can do is hope these men don’t take off with the remaining pieces. “Caius created a…dream world. It was a lot like this one.” I hesitate, staring down at where Auston’s hands clasp together on my stomach. “He called me Claire.”
Braxton exchanges wary glances with Preston and Karston, and Auston tightens his grip on me.
“Do you guys know something?” I accuse, wary of their foreboding expressions.