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you. Now, you seek answers to questions that should have never been
brought to light. She spoke softly, kindly, but with a trace of steel.
How were we supposed to know Echo was going to be
kidnapped and drained? Hex grinded his teeth together to prevent the
growl from escaping his mouth.
By your actions, you led him into danger. Not once, but twice.
Her words cut through Hex like a knife. If he hadn t pushed Echo
away, his mate would have been by his side instead of out in the night
alone. Had he not acted like such an insufferable asshole, Echo
wouldn t have been hurt, and then Onyx wouldn t have felt the need
to go after their mate s attacker.
Guilt slammed into him so hard, he dropped to his knees,
struggling for breath. How do I fix this? he pleaded.
You cannot. The Oracle knelt in front of him, her eyes boring
into his. You cannot take back what has been done. Her fingertips
whispered over his cheek, and she smiled warmly. Your eyes are
lovely, Warrior, but they hold such sadness.
I let them down, Hex whispered. I was supposed to protect
them.
Ah, but you take too much onto yourself. You are meant to
protect one another. The war is not yours to fight alone.
Will Echo be okay? What is he?
Echo is stronger for his ordeal, both mentally and physically.
She smiled crookedly. He is your mate, of course.
Yes, but he s something more. What happened to him? How can
I be sure it won t happen again if I don t know what to be prepared
for?
Yes, he is something more. Though the Oracle laughed
musically he always has been.
Hex s head began to hurt. I don t understand. Please just tell me
what to do now.
92 Gabrielle Evans
Echo is special. She kissed Hex s cheek lightly before rising
gracefully to her feet. You will know more when the time is right.
For now, keep him close. Keep him safe. More will come for him, but
they mustn t find him. Do you understand?
All he understood was that his mate was in danger. That was more
than enough. He will be protected.
Do not seek answers, Warrior. They will come to you. With that
parting line, the Oracle faded away, and Hex jerked straight up in his
bed.
As always when the Oracle visited him, he now had more
questions than answers. He knew one thing, though. Echo would not
so much as take a piss without someone watching him until the war
was over.
* * * *
So, I m not a vampire? Echo scratched the back of his neck and
frowned. Okay, so what am I? The minute he d woken up in Syx s
lap, he d thought something was wrong. After going in search of Hex
and finding him naked and grumbling in his bed, he d known
something was wrong.
Does it matter? Hex cupped his cheek and kissed the tip of his
nose. You re alive. You re healthy. I hope you re happy, because I
know I am. What more is there?
Of course, Hex would go all mushy on him now. You know I m
happy. And, I guess it s enough for now, but I d still like to know.
We ll figure it out. Just try not to worry. Whatever you are,
you re still our mate. Nothing can change that.
Echo rubbed their noses together and grinned. I never doubted
that. Just confused and a little afraid. What if I m something bad? It
was his worst fear that something evil had taken root inside him out in
those woods.
Hypnotic Healing 93
Not possible. Our choices define us. Not what we are, but who
we are. Before you met us, I m sure you thought demons were evil.
Echo blushed and nodded. Okay, I see your point. I just don t
want to hurt anyone. I mean, I feel like myself mostly, but I hate not
knowing what to expect.
Expect to be loved and adored, and nothing more. No sense in
worrying over things we can t control.
Where is all of this coming from? You re usually the first one to
fly off the handle and go apeshit when something bad happens. Echo
kissed Hex s cheek quickly. Not that I m complaining, mind you. I
like this calmer side of you.
Hex chuckled and rolled over on the mattress to rest on his side.
He pulled Echo to him until their chests pressed together, and Echo s
face rested in the crook of his neck. I had a little visit with the
Oracle. I ve screwed up a lot where you re concerned. I ve probably
done worse by the others. I have a lot to make up for, and I can t do
that if I let my uncertainty rule me.
I m still under surveillance, though, huh? Echo had been more
than pissed when Hex explained that he might as well get used to
having a permanent shadow.
Just for a little while. The Oracle says you re special, and while I
already knew that, I think she means something different from my
definition. You could say that I ve been ordered to keep you out of
danger. I intend to follow that command to the letter.
Echo chuckled under his breath and snuggled closer to his mate.
Fine, but that doesn t mean I have to like it. You guys were already
overprotective before. I can just imagine what it s going to be like
now. When this war is over, I m going to have to have each of you
surgically removed from up my ass.
Hex tickled his ribs, pulling a yelp from his mouth. I thought you
liked having us up your ass, the alpha growled seductively.
You know what I meant.
94 Gabrielle Evans
I do, and I m sorry. You re just going to have to deal with it for a
while.
Has Onyx talked to you? Echo didn t want to ruin the moment,
but he d been concerned about the man for days. He hasn t said a
word about what happened to him. It s not good for him to keep it
inside like that.
He hasn t said anything to me. Hex sighed and nuzzled the top
of Echo s head. We re warriors, baby. Until you came along, we
never talked about feelings or stuff like that. It was just easier to
pretend they didn t exist. You can t expect all that to change
overnight. If anyone can get him to open up, it s you.
Should I go talk to him now? Echo worried his lower lip
between his teeth. Or, do you think I should wait?
He s been spending a lot of time by himself, Hex whispered. I
know for a fact that he s been sleeping alone as well. I think the
sooner, the better.
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