Page 246 of Scarlet Wars
The moment he spotted me, he went rigid, shoulders snapping back as if bracing for impact. “Did you just come from Emma’s room?”
I didn’t break stride, didn’t blink. “That’s none of your business anymore.”
His jaw ticked, hard enough to be visible, a muscle jumping like he was holding himself back from lunging at me. “So that’s it?” he said, taking a slow step closer. “She’s yours now?”
I halted.Hell yeah.
“For as long as she’ll have me.”
Something flickered in his eyes—anger, jealousy, something sharper, more dangerous—but instead of acting on it, he went completely still. “Don’t hurt her.”
I held his stare, chin tilting up enough to challenge him. “She’s notyoursto protect.” I let the words sit between us, then added, quieter, “But I won’t.”
He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, exhaling through his nose as he forced himself back into control. When he snapped up his head, the Leader was back in place.
I stepped in beside him, posture more relaxed again. “I’m guessing this charming little chat isn’t why you nexed me so urgently?”
He shook his head. “I got a text.” His voice was low, stretched thin. “From Nino.”
That got my attention. “Your First Offensive? What did she say?”
James’s focus was on the far end of the hallway like he was checking for shadows, then pulled out a human phone.
“‘High Chiefs at Cyclos.’”
“What the fuck? When did she send you this?”
“Half an hour ago. Maybe less.” His knuckles were bone-white around the phone. “I don’t know where she even got a human phone, but if she went through the trouble of finding one?—”
“She’s sending you a warning.”
“Yeah.”
I dragged a hand down my face, pulse kicking hard. “All right. Let’s get some caffeine in us and figure out what the hell’s going on.”
James translated two cups of coffee and handed me one, like he was bestowing a sacred gift instead of, you know, snapping his fingers and translating it into existence.
“Don’t say I never gave you anything,” he muttered, already halfway into his own mug like he deserved a medal.
I gave him a flat look. “Careful, someone might think you’re becoming civilized.”
He snorted before replying. “If that ever happens, kill me.”
“Gladly.”
We stood in silence for a moment, the kind that only ever came from mutual exhaustion and too much shared blood. The coffee was hot. Bitter. Perfect. For once, everything felt still.
Then we heard it.
A scream,raw, guttural, and so full of agony it sliced straight through bone.
We froze.
Stared at each other for a split second, terror flashing between us in the same heartbeat.
Because we both knew that scream.
Emma.
