I run my hand down the curve of her waist until it rests on her hip, waiting for her to say something.
"Is Gage okay?" she finally asks, wiping away her escaped tears.
"He's in the living room. He's fine. I did more damage than you," I grumble, dreading the way she's probably going to bite my head off for that.
"Why did you—"
A loud banging on the door cuts through the sounds of the music, making Alyssa jump a little from the startling unexpectedness of it. "Get out here!" Gage yells, sounding furious.
I roll my eyes. I know he's pissed because I've got her and he doesn't. I don't rush through the motions. I take my time, leisurely dressing at my own pace, as Alyssa pulls out a robe I bought for her.#p#分页标题#e#
I offer her an encouraging smile as she ties it into place, running her hands along the silk fabric that is so lucky to be touching her skin.
"It's going to be okay," I murmur softly, walking over to take her hand in mine.
"Kane! Now, damn it!" Zee yells, sounding panicked.
I pull Alyssa to me, suddenly finding urgency in my steps. What the hell is going on?
As soon as I walk into the room, I'm met with several pale faces. This can't be good.
"What?" I bark. They were in a hurry to get me out here, but now no one wants to speak.
Deke takes a weary breath, deciding to be the one to break the silence.
"Alyssa was seen tonight by humans while using her powers. Dray is out doing damage control the best he can, but we don't know how many saw her. If the councils find out—"
"They'll have to go through me first," I growl.
When she trembles next to me, I pull my girl closer, offering her stability against her wobbly stance. When she threatens to collapse, I scoop her up and cradle her against my chest before sitting down on the couch with her in my lap.
"How did this come about?" I ask, gently stroking Alyssa's hair as she holds back her fear, trying to look strong in front of everyone.
Dice shakes his head, still bleeding from Alyssa's attack. "A radio station was talking about the freak storm, and a caller came on the air, claiming they saw a girl force the skies open for the rain to spread while chanting a spell. She used her magic in front of people, and God knows how many saw. You should've told me sooner. I could have been helping you."
"They know?" she squeaks, making me wince.
"You showed yourself, babe. Dice is old enough to know the rumors of silver eyes. Deke overheard. Zee—"
I look up, letting my voice trail off. "I told him," Gage mumbles, gripping his head before turning his gaze to my shaking girl. "Do you remember anything—anyone who might have seen what happened? We can do damage control. People think they see paranormal activity all the time. They've got shows on it. We can write this off as a bunch of crazy talk if you can point us in the direction of the witnesses."
She shakes her head and quickly wipes away the few tears that have fallen. "I don't know of anyone. I don't remember anything since the widows."
"Nothing?" Gage asks, looking back to me, telling me with his eyes what he can't say with his mouth in front of her.
I tighten my lips. He wants me to say he's right—that we need to teach her to lock away who she is and try to only use the parts of her people aren't afraid of—the less dangerous parts. I refuse. She needs to be comfortable with all of her. It's the only way she'll ever overcome the darkness.
Dray appears in the room, forcing a knot in my stomach. I dread what he might say. His dark hair sweeps his brow as he collapses to a chair.
"Drackus will have my balls in a vice if anything like this ever happens again," he grumbles, and I visibly relax in my seat.
"You found them all?" I ask, feeling even better when he smirks.
"I got most of them—enough to keep anyone from believing in things they know nothing about. The councils won't know it was her unless they dig deep. They might send the Somage to investigate," he says, pausing as he looks toward Gage, "but I don't think they'll delve into it very far."
Gage smirks, nodding knowingly. "Something tells me the Somage won't find a damn thing."
I want to roll my eyes or pop off something sardonic, but I put my own feelings toward the dark user aside since he's going to come in handy. Alyssa sighs, her body going limp against me as the relief settles in.
"Well, I'm guessing everyone knows her secrets now," Dray says, leaning forward and gauging the room.