Veiled Spirits - Page 74

When Doyle opens his mouth to say something that’d probably provoke my magic further, Bishop hurries to speak first. “I’ll escort these two out before they can do anything to taint the council building. It was great to see you, as always.” Bishop brushes past Doyle to put one hand on the back of my neck and the other on Levi’s shoulder. He then rushes us past Doyle before the councilman can respond.

We walk in silence out of the council headquarters. Bishop drops his hands from both of us once we’re out of the building, but we continue to walk quietly until we’re past the gate at the end of the long driveway.

Once we’re off council property, Bishop tugs me to a stop. He spins me around to face him. His eyes are narrowed on me, and his mouth is set in a disapproving frown. “What the fuck was that, Isabel? Why the fuck did you think sassing Doyle was a smart idea?”

Instead of matching Bishop’s anger with mine, I just feel tired. “Can we not do this, St. James? I can’t take getting yelled at right now.” My voice comes out small and defeated. I tilt my face up to the sun, hoping the bright light will keep the tears at bay. It doesn’t work. Burning tears cascade down my cheeks, and I lower my head in defeat.

“I’m sorry,” Bishop croaks. My gaze jumps up to his. I see the same anger and pain and devastation in his eyes that’s probably in mine.

I reach out and grab one of his hands with mine to comfort him. “It’s fine. Can we just get out of here?”

“Yeah, we can, sweetheart.” Bishop tugs on my hand to bring me to his chest. He wraps me in a quick hug before stepping back. “Aperire.” A portal ringed with blue sparks sizzles into existence. Bishop is the one actually opening the portal. We don’t want to risk me using my magic this close to the council.

I’m the first to go through the portal into the Nightshade Pack dining room. It’s set up as a makeshift command center for this mission. As soon as I step through the portal, I’m smothered in Luca’s embrace.

“I’m so fucking sorry, wildcat. And I’m so glad you got out of there safely.” Luca rests his chin on my head as he squeezes me like he’s worried I’m going to disappear at any second.

When I process his words, I realize that Aiden, Rhys, and the wolves all heard my breakdown. Fucking fantastic. I just love having an audience for absolutely losing it.

My cheeks heat in embarrassment, but Luca’s massive chest hides my blush from anyone. Luca is only hugging me for a few moments before another hard body crashes into me. Archer wraps his arms around both his brother and me. “I’m sorry, too, sunshine.”

I don’t really know what to say to them, so I just quietly enjoy their warm bodies pressed against mine. When both of them reluctantly pull away, I see Cain standing behind Luca. He has one of his hands shoved in his black slacks. His dark green eyes stare at me uncertainly, like he’s not confident I’d welcome a hug from him. It hurts my heart to see how unsure of himself Cain seems when it comes to me.

Approaching him with a soft smile, I wait for Cain to open his arms for me. When he does, I step into them and lay my head on his warm chest. He doesn’t say anything. Instead, Cain holds me tight, like he can keep me from fracturing so completely that there will be nothing left of me.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure there’s anything anyone can do, not even my mates, to keep me from splintering into a million pieces that’ll never fit together again. I’m not sure anyone can save me from the roiling mess of emotions. I’m not sure anyone can stop pain and heartbreak from crashing over me like a tsunami wave, battering me until there’s nothing left.

And the scariest part is, I’m not sure I even want to be saved. A larger part of me than I’d like to admit wants to lie down and just let the devastation consume me. But I refuse to give up until we break out all the people the council is hurting. I’ll keep fighting until every last one of them is free.

CHAPTER 38

IZZY

“It’s way too early to be awake,” Archer grumbles as he sleepily stares at his plate of eggs, sausage, and bacon.

“It’s seven-thirty, sunny boy. It’s really not that early.” I hold in my laugh at the glare he gives me. I’ve got class in half an hour. Even though I told my mates they don’t have to get up when I do, they all insisted. So, we’re eating breakfast together in the Nightshade’s dining room.

It’s been three days since we broke into the council. I’ve been staying at the Nightshade pack house with all of my mates this weekend. I didn’t want to be alone after the emotional roller coaster Friday was. Being alone with my thoughts is dangerous right now.

I thought my anger would’ve cooled over the weekend, but it hasn’t. If anything, I’ve just gotten angrier at the council and mages as a whole. Somehow, I have to spend all day around the snobby mages at school and not murder any of them.

Speaking of the time, I should probably get going. I shove one last bite of yogurt into my mouth before I grab my backpack under my chair and stand up. When I turn around, I bump into Luca. “Be safe today, wildcat.” Luca wraps me up in a hug, holding me tight, like he’s worried something bad will happen.

“I’m just going to school, wolf boy. I’ll be fine.” I’m not sure if my soft words reassure him, but Luca reluctantly lets me go after a moment.

Archer, Cain, and Bishop all give me hugs as well. Their casual affection and concern for my well-being make my insides feel like goo. My secret sappy side laps it up, while I try to play it cool on the outside. I know I’m fighting a losing battle to resist my mates, but I also know it’s safer for them not to mate me. My heart and mind are at war, and I don’t know which one I want to prevail.

Shaking my head at my thoughts, I walk over to Levi. He’s portaling us to school. We’re heading to his office, so no one sees us arrive together. Dean Murphy would probably love to know I’ve spent the weekend with one of my instructors. I’m pretty sure that sleeping in the same bed as a teacher violates HGU’s code of conduct, so Dean Murphy would take great joy in expelling me.

“Ready to go?” Levi asks as I reach him. I give him a nod, and he holds out his hand for me to take. Once my hand is in his, Levi walks through the portal and tugs me along behind him. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to his weird portals. They don’t feel like anything. No stickiness, no thick air, no gooey feeling. It’s just like walking in a normal room. Only, one second, we’re in the dining room, and the next, we’re in Levi’s impersonal office.

“Thanks for the lift, screech owl.”

“Anytime. Where’s your ghost?” Levi perches on the edge of his desk and watches me with his otherworldly black-and-red eyes.

I shrug. “Hell if I know. Aggie does whatever the fuck she wants.”

“Can you call her to you? I’d feel better if you had her just in case today.” Levi is staring at me with worry in his eyes, so I can’t help but want to reassure him.