Page 174 of Graves

I’m shedding my skin like a snake, stripping away what I thought was armor that made me strong but was actually a petrified cocoon—a prison that kept me from becoming who I could be.

Without Aran, I would never have managed this!

How dare Luke try to take him from me!

The skin on my knuckles splits. I feel every impact vibrate up my arms to my shoulders. The pain feels good—a welcome punishment for all the time I let this shit happen. For the time, I lost faith in myself and sank into a depression that nearly cost me everything.

But Aran was there.

For me.

“I thought you’d broken me!” I roar, even though Luke is barely conscious anymore. “But Aran showed me how strong I am. You tried to kill me! I almost jumped in front of that fucking train! And then you try to kill Aran? How sick are you?”

A hand grabs my arm. It’s Levi, pulling me out of my frenzy.

“What was that? You almost jumped in front of a train?”

I’m breathing hard, staring at him in confusion.

“Koh! Is that true? That piece of shit tried to kill you?”

“Aran saved me.”

Levi’s expression darkens. Murderous glee flashes in his eyes. “You want to finish him, or should I?”

“Please, Blue,” Luke wheezes through split lips. “I’m sorry.”

Blue?

Every fuse inside me blows. I spin into a head kick and slam my shin into the side of his head. The force is so violent the chair tips over with him.

“Don’t you ever call me that again!” I’m unhinged, my voice cracking with fury.

“Okay, enough.” Damian wraps an arm around my shoulders and hauls me away from Luke.

Levi follows us behind the container but stays positioned so he can still see Luke.

The gate next to me is open, and the cool night air tempers my rage a little, but my nerves are still stretched tight like a bowstring. I clench my bloody fists and let out a frustrated growl.

“I’m glad you found your way back to the dark side,” Damian says diplomatically, “but is this really what you want?”

“What the hell?” Levi asks, irritated. “Koh’s delivering justice here.”

“No, he’s letting his emotions take over. That’s understandable, but won’t you regret it later?”

Damian is the volcano among us. He knows what it means to lose control of yourself. His copper-brown eyes glow almost demonic red in the dim light, but his gaze is gentle. I know he means well.

“You’re right,” I say, voice shaking. “I swore I’d never cross this line again, but…”

“Koh!” Nahla calls, running toward me. She and Olena had been waiting by the car. “Are you okay?”

“It’s not good that she’s here,” Damian says coldly.

“I know.” Still, I’m glad Nahla is close. “Maybe it’s better if I leave the rest to you guys.”

The gleam in Levi’s eyes is unmistakable, like a kid in a candy store. “Oh, Aniki! I won’t disappoint you.”

“You’re bleeding!” Nahla gasps, grabbing my hand. Levi and Damian roll their eyes, expecting some motherly scolding, but Nahla surprises everyone. She plants a hand on her hip and snaps at me. “Tell me that’s Luke’s blood and you didn’t just trip like an idiot.”