Page 148 of Infernal Secrets

Zeke turned toward him. “He didn’t mean he’d force her!”

Ash exhaled. “I know that. She knows that. We talked about it a while back.” He met Cyn’s eyes. “I’ve never thought you’d do that. None of us have.”

Cyn rolled his eyes, dismissing Ash’s softer tone. He often struggled with gestures of concern. “So what’d she say?”

“She didn’t say anything at first. I saw the marks you left behind.”

My brows lifted upon hearing Ash’s confession.

“Marks?” Zeke turned to Cyn, brow furrowed, eyes filled with questions.

“Didn’t know I left any, but not surprised.”

Zeke’s eyes narrowed, the first sign of anger I’d seen in a while. “You hurt her?”

“No, I didn’t hurt your precious Raelynn.” He sucked his teeth. “She liked it rough.”

Zeke looked at Ash. “Did you hurt her?”

“No!” Ash slammed his fist on the counter, making the laminate vibrate. “I would never hurt her.”

Cyn and Zeke both stared, wide-eyed at Ash’s explosive response.

“I mean, if she wanted it…” Zeke looked down. “Sorry.”

Ash cursed. “No. I’m sorry. I asked her if she wanted—should we really be talking about this?”

“You’re the one who brought it up,” Cyn muttered with a dismissive shrug.

“Actually, that was you,” I said, growing tired of their back and forth.

“Yeah, but he implied it first.”

Children. I’m dealing with children.

I expected childish behavior from Cyn and Zeke, but not Ash. Though older than our brothers—and two years my senior—he bickered with Cyn like an undisciplined soldier.

Ash’s lip curled. “I was gentle, like she wanted. Now, can we move on? I saw the necklace when she was asleep afterward.”

“You didn’t think to bring it up before now?”

He looked at me. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“I warned you all not to fall prey to the magic of our summoning, yet you can’t stay away from the human.”

Cyn gave me a flat look. “Really? Like you don’t want her too?”

“No. I can separate the spell’s effects from my own will. I don’t want her—or any other woman. My duty is to my people and the council.”

As they fell silent at the reminder of our position, the front door opened and the troublesome human in question stepped inside.

“We’ll discuss this later,” I said, turning as Raelynn dropped her purse on the table and pulled off her short combat boots.

Zeke turned on his stool. “Where’ve you been?”

She looked up at him. “Work?”

“You’re usually home before now.”