26

Layla slowly nodded, wincing as her skin ached and tears poured down her eyes.

‘I swear, Demeter, you’ll be the first of your buddies I’ll end.’ She swore then froze. End? Where did that come from? She didn’t want to end anybody. She wanted to prove she wasn’t a monster. Yet the hunger for revenge clawed at her gut, and she winced. What was wrong with her?

“You’re fine now,” Zayne whispered, cradling her closer to himself. Cradling?!

Her breath hitched as she became aware of how close they were. His arm was around her, holding her close to his chest like he was trying to protect her. She was almost sitting across his laps. Her face flushed. How had she not realised that he was holding her? Why was he holding her? In front of Demeter, no less. Wouldn’t the woman be pissed that he was holding her in an intimate kind of way?

She placed her hand on his chest, ready to push him away, but her muscle refused to do so. No, she didn’t want to. He was just so warm; his chestnut scent was comfor