Crimson Truth (Onyx Assassins 4)

“Don’t let them separate from you tomorrow night,” Hawke warned. “No matter how bad it gets, always keep an eye out for them.” His gaze narrowed. “Do you think Saint fucked with Avi’s head? I know he’s a sadistic prick and his power is altering realities—”

“No,” I answered quickly. “Jocelyn would have picked up on it.”

He gave me a skeptical raise of his eyebrows.

“Just…” I sighed. “Just trust me.” I hadn’t told the rest of the Order about Jocelyn’s gift of counteracting supernatural gifts. That was her secret to share—or not. A month ago, I would have told them without reservation or guilt, but the mating bond...that came first. It came before species, before king, before all else.

Hawke nodded and focused on the door, accepting me at my word.

Olivia came down the hall carrying a tray of something that smelled like rich chocolate and toffee. “It’s my turn,” she told us with a smile as she approached.

Hawke jolted to his feet, remarkably fast for someone who looked like they hadn’t fed in weeks. Logically I knew it couldn’t have been that long—he would have been driven blood mad by now, but the guy could have auditioned for the role of a zombie on The Walking Dead at this point.

“I’ll take that,” he said, reaching for the tray, which Olivia surrendered.

“They’re waiting for you in the dining room,” she said to me, motioning toward the stairs.

“You can eat with the rest of them,” Hawke offered. “I can take Avi the tray and sit with her.”

Olivia’s smile faltered. “That’s super nice of you, Hawke, but she’s just more about...female companionship right now. Not that any of us can get a word out of her.”

His shoulders stiffened.

I’d never been so glad that her bodyguard was a trained, lethal female. Had it been a male like centuries past, this whole thing would have been even worse when she barred him from the door, and Olivia was indeed a trained, lethal female.

Something Jocelyn had said earlier popped into my mind.

“Olivia,” I said as she lifted her hand to knock.

She paused, turning slightly. “Benedict?”

“Was there ever a moment where you felt slighted for not being in the Order?” I asked.

She blinked and drew back slightly.

“I mean, you train with the Order, live with the Order, and oversee some of the education of the trainees for the Order, but you’re not...you know…”

“In the Order?” she supplied, her eyes dancing with mirth at my obvious babbling.

“Right.”

Her smile returned. “Benedict, even with the fact that you guys have some teched-out, boys-only clubhouse in the basement, I’ve never once felt like...less because I don’t have the title of Assassin. I’m mated to one of you, and trust me, there’s no part of dispensing justice that I want to deal with.” She shrugged. “Sorry, but that’s just the truth. My loyalty is to Avianna and has been for the last century. Living in this overgrown frat house just kinda came with the territory.” A corner of her mouth lifted into a smirk. “But it did get me Ransom, so I’m not complaining.”

When Jocelyn opened the door, Olivia took the tray from Hawke and went inside, sending my mate out as they changed shifts.

“Everything okay?” Jocelyn asked, lacing her fingers with mine as we walked downstairs toward the dining room.

“Getting there,” I replied, lifting the back of her hand and pressing a kiss to it as we made our way into the dining room.

“No aristocrats tonight?” She lifted an eyebrow at me.

“We like to keep to ourselves the night before….” I swallowed, my stomach churning at the thought of her in danger. That’s exactly where she’d be—in the middle of the danger. Her powers as a hybrid were astounding, even awe-inspiring, but I’d never seen the full extent of Genevieve’s. Would Jocelyn be a match if they came head-to-head?

Would Genevieve surrender once she realized the force we’d amassed?

“Battle,” Jocelyn supplied, taking the empty seat next to Zachariah. “I get it.”

I took the one on her other side, putting me next to Valor.

“I still think I should be allowed to kick some ass,” the redhead muttered, giving her mate a scathing dose of side-eye.

“Nope,” Lachlan said before taking a swig of his drink. “I told you it’s too dangerous,” he finished unapologetically.

I made sure Jocelyn’s plate was full before heaping my own from the platters and bowls of steaming food that filled the center of the long table. We’d never stood for formality in this part of the residence and tonight was no different. We ate family-style when possible.

“And I think we both know I can handle myself,” Valor countered, stabbing her broccoli.

“Aye, lass. When it comes to humans, I’ll be sure to tag you in, but we’re going against witches tomorrow.” He arched a dark auburn brow. “Or do you have some latent abilities you haven’t shared with me?”