Soaring In Flames (Reborn Book 2), page 17
Tossing the paper towels, the door swung open and in walked a few girls laughing and whispering quietly. I froze as their eyes fell on me.
“Oh hey, Maya.” One of them stood in the way of the door as the others went towards the sink, turning them on and washing their hands. The action still made me uncomfortable. All of this felt very, very off.
“Hey,” I said evenly. I recognized this girl, she was one of Becky’s friends. She’d helped spread the photos of my mother hitting me throughout the hallway so the entire student body could see my shame. Photos that no doubt had made it into the media at some point in time. I tried to move to go past her but she tugged my sweater back, causing me to stumble slightly, surprised that she’d grabbed me. What the heck was her problem?
“Where are you going?” she hissed, rounding to face me. Making me step back further, “Off to keep those boys happy so you have somewhere to fucking sleep, trailer trash?”
“Move,” I demanded, feeling my chest flutter as my fists clenched. I could feel the other two girls right behind me, not touching me but very much in my space.
“No,” she hissed, her green eyes lit up with annoyance. “You had Ash kicked out of fucking school all because you complained to the guys that you spread your legs for. I should smash your face into these fucking tiles or in the toliet, where you belong.” The venom from her had my pulse beating fast.
I continued to gauge how much it would take to move right past her. Could I stop her if she pulled me back again? I know Croy said I would probably become stronger and faster when I came into my powers...but for now, I was screwed. I had no idea what I was capable of. I didn’t want to over do it either and kill her.
“I have done nothing to you,” I growled, feeling my chest grow with heat.
“You had my fucking friend commited, you dumb bitch!” she snarled and I grunted as one of the girls tugged me from behind, making me slip a bit as the girl in front of me hit her fist right into my nose.
Holy shit.
I let out a small pained sound and yanked away from the two behind me, blood dripping down my face and sweater.
“You are going to pay for what you did,” she warned as the three of them walked towards the door, “just remember that, whore. Your guys won’t always be around.”
What the hell had that been?
I leaned against the counter trying to steady myself, feeling a bit stunned as tears stung my eyes. I put my palms against my eyes as I let out a small sob feeling the pulsating break in my nose. I knew it would heal but it still hurt like hell. The door opened and I prayed like hell it wasn’t them again. I was so fucking done with getting beat on. I was so fucking done. Next time I was fighting back, no matter the consequences.
“Maya?” Henry’s voice was worried and his eyes hyper focused on the blood dripping from my nose.
I dried my tears and the blood, straightening my posture. “I’m fine. Can we just get out of here?” I didn’t want the boys to know about my inability to protect myself. I wanted to face a fight for myself one of these times. I was so tired of always having to be saved.
“What the hell happened? Was it those girls?” he snarled and I looked up, blinking back my tears.
“I need to get out of here,” I mumbled and walked up to him, intertwining our hands as he examined my expression, muttering under his breath. I knew they wouldn’t push me on it until we were home. It wasn’t like I didn’t plan on telling them...eventually. Then again, I was horrible at keeping stuff from them. I should probably just tell them. But how did I do that without them totally flipping out?
“Maya?” Jordan’s voice filled me with relief. If I could get anyone's advice it would be hers. “Henry? What the hell are you... Maya, who the fuck punched you?”
I looked at her and then Henry, “Some of Becky’s friends came in here and essentially said they were going to ‘get me’ for having her committed.” I didn’t really care about their words regarding my mates, I knew that it wasn’t just about ‘spreading my legs’ as they stated.
“Are you fucking serious?” Jordan snarled, looking more upset than I’d expected. “I’ll handle that dumb bitch.”
“No!” I lunged and grabbed her hand. “That was exactly what I was afraid of. I don’t want to deal with any of this anymore. I just want to leave. I do not want anyone handling this. Okay?”
Jordan searched my expression and then looked at Henry, my eyes trailing to my mate who looked furious. No, I mean truly furious, his form so tense he was nearly shaking. I swallowed as Jordan squeezed my shoulder and walked out without a word. Wonderful. Henry reached up and gently smoothed over my nose as I winced.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, then shook his head. “Of course it fucking hurts.”
“It will heal,” I promised, and then pulled his hand towards the door. Right into Marco’s flippin’ chest...
“Shit,” I mumbled as tears stung my eyes, my nose hitting right into his hard muscles.
“Marco, her nose,” Henry warned as two strong hands tilted my head back and a pair of mint green eyes darkened on me.
“Who the fuck did this?” he demanded, his jaw tight.
“Later,” Henry stated softly, “Jordan already knows.” I was very aware of the power my friend held at the school, especially since she had such a large group of wolves following her. I was finding my school was very non-human-ish.
I tugged away from both of them and walked towards the door feeling frustrated. Jordan knew. Which translated into, ‘she’ll handle it.’ Because of course, why would anyone listen to Maya? I clearly didn’t know what I wanted because how could I? I muttered a curse under my breath as I reached the car. I really didn’t like how much I’d sworn in the past thirty minutes but my nose really hurt. That was a good reason, right?
“Maya,” Ledger caught up to us, his voice sounding a bit panicked, “what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I felt my jaw click as I slid into the car and pulled my knees up to my chest.
“She’s mad,” Sai noted, sounding surprised.
“Am I not allowed to be mad?” I asked under my breath, “Maybe that was one more choice someone should make for me.”
“Maya,” Henry spoke softly.
My jaw clenched as I avoided looking at Marco or him because that wouldn’t do any good. Nor would it do good to text Jordan because Henry had all but given her the go ahead to do something about it. Which in terms of shifter culture, as I was learning, was more of a command than a suggestion because...you know...dragons, I guess? I inhaled feeling more frustrated by the minute.
“Let’s just let her cool down,” Croy advised gently, but it didn’t make me feel better. Nor did Anani’s hand on my shoulder. None of it made me feel better.
“What is she upset about?” Atlas asked, confused.
“Nothing,” I felt my chest turn into scorching fire as I closed my eyes trying to calm down.
“Maya, we aren’t leaving until you explain what’s going on,” Marco turned in the passenger seat.
I looked at him and shook my head feeling really tired all of the sudden. “Can we just go home?”
“Maya,” Marco took a deep breath.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I stated softly, “or is that something else I’m not allowed to decide for myself.”
“They deserve whatever Jordan plans to do,” Henry ground out.
I clenched my fists trying to figure out a way to be more clear. “Seriously? I said right to both of you that I didn’t want anyone to handle it. Or does my opinion in this not matter? I mean it was my nose, Henry. Not yours, nor Jordan's.”
“We can’t just let someone beat you up and get away with it,” Sai growled, realizing what was going on.
“You can’t fight all my battles for me!” I bit out. I closed my eyes as I tried to relax, putting my forehead down on my knees. I was just done with this day. I was exhausted. Not feeling one hundred percent. And now my nose was broken.
“We most definitely can and will.” Marco stated softly, his voice having a dangerous undertone.
“I think we should let this go for now,” Croy offered quietly, “it’s been a really long weekend—”
“So what?” I looked up at Marco feeling my temper spike, something that I wasn’t used to and was a bit overwhelming. “I’m supposed to sit around and let you handle everything for me? Better yet, Jordan is handling this! My best friend. I don’t need everyone handling stuff for me. I am perfectly capable of figuring it out, even if it takes a bit more time.”
“Someone beat you up,” Marco blinked, “there is absolutely nothing to figure out.”
“Marco...” Anani sounded like he was attempting to diffuse the situation.
“Oh, okay,” I nodded looking up, feeling a bit of sarcasm edge out with frustration, “I’ll make sure to let you think for me from now on, Marco. I mean, why should I learn to handle anything if you can, right?”
“Yes, actually,” he stated with a stubborn edge. Atlas made a soft, concerned noise that I would normally find comforting but instead ignored.
I felt my temper spike as we pulled up to the house. I slid out of the car and moved towards the door feeling annoyed and frustrated. Marco’s hand caught mine as I tugged away, walking into the house and up the stairs. Along with the rest of our luggage, a personal concierge had brought Bella back, her meow reaching me as I entered my bedroom.
“Maya,” Henry called as I closed my bedroom door, hitting the lock as I sunk to the floor. I needed a minute. Just a minute to myself. Was that normal to need a bit of space from your mates? There were just a lot of them and sometimes I felt like I needed some alone time. Was that okay? Even if it wasn’t. That’s what I needed today.
I was just so terribly tired, my eyes already shutting.
“Honey,” Marco’s voice was concerned and softer than in the car, almost regretful, as he twisted the door knob, “can I come in?”
“I need a few minutes, Marco.”
“Maya...”
“Please?” I looked at the closed door as he swore under his breath and walked away.
Walking forward I picked up Bella and pulled her to my chest, my eyes closing tightly. When I woke I would figure out what to say to the boys, hopefully I’d feel more calm by then.
Chapter 14
Sai
“Marco,” I bit out, “you need to relax. She’ll come down when she’s ready.”
Marco snarled, staring into his drink, as Henry shook his head going back to his laptop. The others had disappeared through the house and I could tell everyone felt a bit off. How could they not? Maya had never gotten mad, not like this. The most complicated part was that she was right. We couldn’t fight every battle for her, and that was coming from me. I was always a fan of fighting.
“She has a point,” I stated softly, “we can’t keep her sheltered forever.”
“Like hell we can’t,” Marco declared, his hands tightening around his glass. “Do you not remember how she lived when she wasn’t sheltered here? Or how about when we left her alone in the house once and someone fucking took her from right under our nose? She’s not leaving.”
Henry groaned, running a hand over his face. "I don’t think she’s asking to leave, Marco, I think she just wants to feel like we are listening to her."
And I’m the one who is emotionally dramatic. Right. These two looked like they were about to flip the fuck out.
“You were the one who literally gave Jordan the ‘go’ on handling it.” Marco offered him a dry look when Henry sighed but didn’t say anything. Because he had.
“Plus what would she have done?” Marco asked, “go beat them up in return? I’m sorry but I don’t see Maya punching someone.”
I frowned slightly because it wasn’t a complete lie. Maya had a lot of amazing qualities, but fighting wasn’t up there. Not that she couldn’t be capable but physical violence wasn’t something that intrigued her, at least from what I could tell.
“Let’s just let her cool down,” I concluded and left the kitchen, heading upstairs despite my words. I stared at her door, tilting my head and looking back to make sure Henry and Marco wouldn’t catch me essentially going against what I’d just said. I moved towards her door and knocked once.
I sort of figured she wouldn’t answer, but a meow sounded as a sleepy Maya opened the door. Clearly she hadn’t been sleeping for long because we’d only been home about an hour.
“Can I come in, Kitten?”
Her eyes traced over me cautiously before letting me in, my eyes roaming her quiet and peaceful room. Maya sat down on the bed. Instead of saying anything, I tugged off my shirt and shoes, getting into her bed as she crawled up and under the sheets. Her head rested against my chest as I wrapped my arm around her, kissing the top of her head as she let out a sigh.
It had been a damn long day. Those long fingers began to play across my skin and I nearly groaned, trying to not get more turned on than I normally was around her. Already my cock was harder, wedged between the two of us, her leg tossed over me comfortably and without concern.
Almost instantly Maya fell asleep, Bella trotting over to the end of the bed before curling up. As I looked over my mate’s peaceful expression, I found myself feeling really thankful for her. I could be a total broody asshole, but she seemed to mollify every situation. Even right now, despite her valid argument with Marco and Henry, she had let me into her room to hold her. If I was her, I would probably be annoyed with everyone due to association. Not Maya though. No, Maya was sweet to the bone and I loved the light and warmth that radiated from her.
Laying with her, I found myself wanting to do ridiculous shit like when I took her out for a day in Paris. I would have never thought of something like that before Maya, but with her it flowed perfectly, making me think of a ton of ridiculous shit.
My family and I had never been particularly connected. I had been sort of lost in the crowd while there. Always vying for attention that I never truly received. Maya made me want to rewrite my past, she made me want to one day have a family so we could make sure that our kids felt loved and cared about. It was an odd feeling.
Next to me, Maya began to shift and she frowned, her small brow crinkled as a whimper came from her throat. I smoothed her hair but she only seemed to shake more, so much so that I considered waking her up. I spoke softly, “Maya, kitten, wake up for me.”
Instead of waking up she squeezed her eyes tighter and gripped my chest, her nails biting into me. I hated that she was suffering, especially once she told me what exactly she’d been fully dealing with. I mean, fuck, her mom had burned and branded her with a cross. My temper spiked as I tried to breathe through it, my jaw clenched knowing now was not the time to get pissed.
“Maya,” I whispered, feeling my chest squeeze as tears dripped down her face.
The door opened as Henry stood there looking concerned as I continued to smooth her hair. I pressed my cheek against her head and hissed. She had a fucking fever again. What the hell was going on with her? This was really starting to fuck with my head.
“Her temperature is back up,” I said as Henry walked over, his eyes roaming over her critically before he shook his head, leaving the room to no doubt get his small at home medical bag.
“What’s going on?” Marco asked. Walking in, his voice was quiet and I knew he was avoiding waking some of the others up. Through our bond I could tell the twins were passed out, Atlas would have been as well but hearing our concerned voices he was getting up. Croy I had no idea because I had no supernatural connection to the guy.
“Her temperature spiked,” I explained quietly before looking back up, “I’m worried.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Marco muttered, sitting down as Henry came in.
“I really think this has to do with her magic,” Henry offered quietly. “Maybe it has to do with feeling extreme emotions.”
“Doesn’t explain Paris,” I remarked, frowning.
“We don’t know how she was feeling really, we were eating dinner. She could have had anything on her mind—”
“You weren’t paying attention?” I asked, realizing he was being honest about not looking into her head too much.
Henry sighed, “I do it too much as it is, so no, I wasn’t at the time. Plus, she is damn good at keeping me out of her head. Did anything happen earlier that day while you were out?”
“Yeah actually,” I nodded. “We were at Cartier and she saw a cross, totally zoned out and started crying. I’m not really doing the story justice but apparently her mother used to brand her with crosses and Maya had to cut herself with glass to make sure she healed.”
Henry’s stethoscope fell to the ground as Marco’s dragon made a deep furious noise making Maya whimper in her sleep. He stopped but Henry seemed still in shock as he grabbed his instrument and looked back down at her swallowing.
“What the actual fuck?” he muttered.
I inhaled nodding. “It's fucked up.”
“I’m going to kill her father,” Marco stated softly.
“After he suffers the same amount and time that she did,” Henry added for good measure. I didn’t disagree.
My vision blurred just slightly as I thought about killing her father. Blood lust hit me hard and I tried my best to not go there. I didn’t want her to get upset if my dragon started flipping the fuck out. She hadn’t realized it fully but she reacted a ton in reference to our energy.
“Her nose is healed,” I noticed in realization.
“Should have never happened,” Atlas said from the doorway.
“She needs to learn how to fight,” I declared softly.
She did. No matter how much we wanted to say we would be there for her...she needed to be able to defend herself. It was our fucking responsibility to make sure of it because I didn’t want Maya to rely on us. I mean I did. But I really wanted her to willingly be dependent on us, but have the ability to take care of herself in case anything happened to us. I worried that if we didn’t, she would either get hurt or go nuclear and kill people if pushed too much. Not that I would care, but my sweet mate would feel guilty about that.
