Not able to find the words to express how I feel, I grab the back of his head and pull him down to me, planting my lips on his in a soft kiss. There’s heat in his eyes again when he pulls away, though it’s still more reserved than it was before. A part of me wonders what would happen if he let himself lose control.
Sebastian’s phone pings again, and when it’s clear he isn’t going to let me walk on my own, I wrap my arms around him, careful of his neck, as he carries me out of the room.
After carrying me through the house and down a set of stairs, Sebastian sets me down at the large dining room table before telling me he’s going to let Mason in. Even with my short venture this morning and the trip from the bedroom to here, I’ve hardly seen the whole house, which only adds to the notion of its size.
A minute or so after Sebastian left, the sound of paws padding against the floorboards has me breaking into a smile. Shadow appears at the end of the hall, then makes a beeline straight for me as if he knows where I am, and the emotions I felt leaving him last night come rushing back to the surface.
Shadow stops in front of me, his tail swishing rapidly, and I drop my hand to his head as he lays his chin on my thigh. “I’m sorry I left,” I whisper and blink away the burning behind my eyes. Shadow sits but leaves his head resting on me, so I continue to move my hand through his soft fur.
Not long later, Sebastian emerges from the hall, followed closely by Mason, who seeks me out immediately. He appears to relax when he lays eyes on me. When they make it over to us, Sebastian drops his hand to Shadow’s head beside mine and massages his ear.
“I’ll be back in a few hours, but Mason will stay here while I’m gone,” Sebastian says. He pulls his hand away from Shadow and looks like he’s about to leave, then plants his hand on the table beside me and leans down, kissing me. It’s short and sweet, and when he pulls away, my cheeks are heated, knowing Mason is right there. “I’ll see you later,” Sebastian says, and his breath touches my lips before standing.
When he passes Mason, he pauses, speaking too low for me to hear, then he walks away.What was that about?Shadow lifts his head from my lap to watch him leave, but once he’s out of sight, he puts it right back where it was.
“Are you okay?” Mason asks, his voice soft.
“I’m okay…”
“You scared the crap out of me last night, Grace.” Mason sighs.
“I’m sorry.” A lump forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it down. “How…” How did he know? I never expected to see Mason standing there when Sebastian led me out of Obsidian. “Did Sebastian—”
“No,” Mason says before I can finish. “Marcus, he works security with me. After what happened in the lobby, he called me. I came back to check on you, but when you weren’t there…” He clears his throat, and guilt rushes through me.
“I’m sorry,” I say again because what else can I say? I don’t remember a lot of what happened in the lobby. But, from what I recall, I know it wasn’t good. I can’t imagine Mason getting the call and having no idea what was happening.
“Why would you be sorry?” he asks.
“I… I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“It’s a bit late for that, Grace. I’m always going to worry about you.” Mason smiles softly, and the guilt hits me even harder. I knew leaving them behind—Sebastian, Shadow,Mason—would hurt me, but I didn’t realise how much it would affect them. What would Mason say if he knew there would come a time I needed to leave for good?
Mason pulls out the chair next to me and takes a seat. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks, taking hold of my free hand while I continue to pet Shadow.
“I…”Was I okay?I’m not sure I really know the answer to that question. I try to sayyes,to tell him I’m fine, but something seems to be blocking the words from leaving my mouth.Why can’t I say it?
“Sebastian told me what happened,” Mason says, and my head snaps up. “How much did you see?” he asks, his tone both sympathetic and concerned.
Blood. Sebastian. The sound of fists cracking against bone.A knife. Except the memories are muddled with another. Bloodied blonde hair. Gaping throat.
“Grace…” With a shake of my head, I focus on Mason again, but his expression is now full of concern, and I realise my breathing is harder. I’m also squeezing his hand.
I loosen my hold on him and try to find the words, but my thoughts feel too jumbled. “I’m not sure.” It’s not an answer, but it’s all I have.
“You know you can talk to me, right?” he asks softly. “Sebastian told me some things. About your past,” Mason says, and I freeze.
“What?” Blood rushes through my ears, almost drowning out what he says next.
“He didn’t give me any details, Grace. Only that you might be in danger.” This time he squeezes my hand.
My mind whirls at what he’s saying. “Sebastian said I’m in danger?”
Mason sighs. “He’d probably be pissed I’m telling you any of this, but he has his concerns. And I have mine, Grace. Is he right?”
Exhaustion.
Pain.