Larkin blinks back into the room a couple seconds later. He glances over at the unconscious Natasha but picks me up and transports me out of the house. I blink, and we are back in the living room. Logan and Colton run over to me. Larkin lets go of me, and I sway on the ground. My head is throbbing from hitting the wall, and I can’t get oxygen into my lungs fast enough. Logan grabs me and starts to heal me.
I blink rapidly as the hazy stupor begins to fade. “Why did you drop your shield?” Larkin asks me.
When Logan finishes, I turn toward him. “Because the table lamp was freaking heavy and took more magic than I was expecting to pick it up. I could push more magic toward it when I wasn’t trying to keep the shield up.”
“What did you do with the lamp?” Colton asks me.
“I hit Natasha in the head with it. I’m getting really tired of that female dog.”
“Oh my gosh, did Ryanne just cuss?” asks Emma. I can’t help but smile as she looks at me with wide eyes. I don’t cuss. It just doesn’t feel right coming from me, so I come up with other things to say when I’m upset or angry. Sometimes I get creative; sometimes I come up with literal alternatives.
“Indirectly,” I say as I walk past everyone and over to Natalie and Conner, who are sitting on the couch. They look shocked. “Are you guys okay?”
“She tried to kill us,” Natalie mumbles. Conner stands up and pulls me into a hug.
“Thank you so much, Ryanne.” I hug him back, but release him when Colton grunts behind me.
“You’re welcome,” I say, and then step away from him. “I’m sorry about Natasha.”
“I knew that she was working for Dravin, but I never thought she’d come after us,” Natalie says. “We’re family.”
“You knew, and you didn’t tell me?” Conner asks.
“Of course I knew. She’s my twin. I thought that she’d realize how crazy she was being and leave, but obviously her hatred for Ryanne is pushing her farther to their side.”
“I’m sorry.” I know that Natasha hates me, but I still feel bad for Natalie. Natasha is her twin, and I know that it can’t be easy to be on opposing sides.
“Oh, it’s not your fault. Natasha’s a little unstable. She hates everything that stands between her and what she wants. And she wants Colton.” Natalie looks over toward Colton and smiles. “Though, I see that that is never going to happen again. He loves you.”
Colton stares at her. “How can you tell that?”
“Magic. I can sense emotions, feelings, and tell what people’s intentions are. It’s been a while since we talked last, Colton.” She turns back to me. “You love him too. Just like you love everyone in this room, which is why you risk your life to protect them.”
“Everyone already knows that,” I tell her. She gets the gleam in her eyes that all mages get when you question their power.
“Colton and Liam hate how you have to go on these things alone. They understand, but they don’t like it. Logan hates how you keep getting injured, but he’s glad that he’s around to heal you. Bragden and David love you like a sister and hate seeing you hurt all the time. Larkin feels like he owes you for something. Emma wishes that she could help you, and she also loves you like a sister and doesn’t want anything to happen to you,” Natalie tells me. “That’s just a really basic explanation of everyone’s feelings toward you. I could go into more detail, but that would take a while.” Natalie yawns, and I notice how tired she looks. Conner doesn’t look much better either.
I glance over toward Tom and see him watching them as well. “You guys are welcome to stay here with us. We can make room. David, can you move your stuff into Colton’s room? Natalie and Conner can use your room,” Tom tells them.
“Ryanne’s staying with me,” Colton says. Tom and I both look at him at the same time.
“I am?” I ask.
“Colton, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tom says.
“Tom, Dravin and Adam can’t get to her when she’s with me,” Colton tells him.
“Are you positive?” It is obvious that Tom doesn’t like the idea of me sharing a room with him. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I know that he is telling the truth. The past couple of nights, when I’ve fallen asleep near Colton, I haven’t been attacked in my sleep.
“I’m sure of it.”
Tom watches Colton for a few moments, before slowly nodding. “Okay, well Emma, would you be okay with sharing a room with Natalie?”
“As long as she doesn’t try to kill me like her sister did, I’m fine with it.” Tom nods and turns toward David.