Bound by Love

20. The Devil's in the Details

Shock ran rampant through those at the secret meeting in the woods. Emma, Helena, and Victor could not see what happened from their vantage point. Patricia looked on without concern. Atticus was angry at what he just witnessed, but his ire was nothing compared to the three 'brothers'.

Their actions were swift, faster than any could track, not even the keen eye of Atticus. Ian dives to the ground attempting to protect Wren from the fall. Gray uses his telekinesis to slow Wren's descent, gently laying her down and placing her head in Ian's lap.

Gray uses his power once again, to fling Walter halfway through a large oak tree. Van uses his force field, to place a grid of bars so fine that it resembles a net, keeping Walter in place. They then turn to Wren.

The three surround her, Van's wings spread wide to cover her left side completely, Gray and Ian beside each other on her right, protecting her from all directions.

Wren's mates, run gentle hands over her body, checking her, trying to find the source of her pain. She groans softly when Gray's hand touches her right hip. Van brings his large wings around, covering her from all other eyes. Gray then edges up the skirt of her dress to where his hand had been.

On the pale flesh of her hip was a thin sliver of something metallic looking. The skin around it was red and swelling. Gray gently probes around the wound, finding it warm to the touch. Wren whimpers softly, causing him to pull back his hands sharply. He puts her skirt back down and rises from his kneeling position. Van picks her up in his arms, her injury facing outward so as not to press against him and cause her more pain.

Ian and Gray stand slightly to the side and in front of Wren. Once more protecting her from all angles. Wren's head lay on Van's shoulder, her soft panting breath warm on his neck, her eyes closed, with long lashes creating crescent shaped shadows on her cheeks. He nuzzles his lips against her forehead, frowning when he finds it hot, feverish.

Atticus stands in front of them, concern in his eyes as he tries to peer around Ian to get a glimpse of Wren. Ian growls, barring his teeth and flexing his clawed fingers. The Angel, backs up a step, head bowed, knowing that it isn't wise to aggravate someone whose mate is injured.

Everyone's heads turn at a high-pitched squeak that sounded behind them. Patricia stood at the tree, hand burnt from where she attempted to help Walter out from Van's force field.

"What's this! What have you done!" She screeches. "Let him go, you have no right to hold him!"

"SILENCE!" The normally placid Atticus roars. "They have every right to defend their mate from his slurs against her. And, I'm not sure what he did, but it is evident that Wren was injured."

"It was probably one of them." She spat out, fury in her eyes. "Walter wouldn't hurt a fly. He was probably right about her not being their mate and they used this as a distraction so as not to gain our displeasure. She is likely nothing more than some cheap who..."

Gray sends her flying back against the tree, smoke rising from behind her where her clothes are in contact with the force field. With a delicate hold over his powers he gently squeezes her throat, cutting off the vile word that was about to escape her lips.

Her hands reach up, grasping at air, while her lungs beg for some relief. Gray stalks close, eyes glowing vivid red in the dark of the wood. He tightens the hold around her neck until her breath is a hissing wheeze and her eyes show fear. He gets just a hairsbreadth away, and his voice is a menacing whisper. "You best rethink your actions. We will not allow any to harm our mate, be it with intent or mistake. With deeds or with words. We will defend her, protect her. Make no mistake. She is ours."