Red

I was helpless. I was unable to do anything about the raggedy breathing coming from the predator that lay draped over my horse. I was useless and it was about to drive me crazy.

Ivar kept pace next to me and kept as still as possible so the feline on his back could die peacefully. The horse understood the dire situation as the Shadowed Manor came into sight and increased pace without jostling his passenger.

I wanted to bring the feline in the house but there was no way I would have been able to lift MK. I was strong but MK looked as if he weighed the same as a grizzly bear and I was unfortunately not that strong. So instead I rolled the door to the barn open and waited for Ivar to walk through before quickly shutting myself inside.

Now for the next problem. How to get MK down?

"Why do I-?" Ezekiel's words suddenly stopped as the male flung the side door open and saw the situation. He processed the sight in front of him before his green eyes flicked to me. "What trouble have you gotten into now?" He asked but the question was light and he didn't seem to expect an answer.

"Please help," I nearly choked the words but managed to keep my voice steady.

His eyes widened before he dipped his chin in response and approached Ivar.

"He's too hea-" I began to say but froze when Ezekiel lifted the predator off of Ivar as if he weighed nothing.

"I will take him inside, you should fetch a bucket of water," Ezekiel instructed.

Now was not the time to question anything so I simply just did as he told me.

By the time I found a bucket, filled it with water, and made it upstairs to my room, Ezekiel had placed MK on the bed and met me in the doorway.

"I've already given him a strong healing potion that should correct his broken bones and aid his supernatural healing in fixing him," Ezekiel explained while I glanced around him to see the giant feline sleeping on my bed.

My eyes settled on a red smear that stained the green bed covers.

"I do not believe that is his blood. All of his bleeding appears to be internal," Ezekiel added when he saw where my attention had turned. The male leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms, which showcased the rippling muscles in his forearms. "So are you going to tell me what could've crushed almost all of his ribs?"

I debated not talking to him but he had just been a major help in ensuring the survival of my newest companion. There would be no harm in telling him about the Wyvern as long as I left out the reason as to why I was hunted down by the creature.

"A male attacked us," I supplied and that alone shocked the Head Assassin.

"Why?"

"That doesn't matter," I brushed off his question and pushed past him.

"It most certainly-" Ezekiel caught my arm with a hand and a tingle danced through my whole body before a warmth spread through my throat. We both froze as we looked at the connection between us.

"What was that?" "Who hurt you?"

We spoke at the same time and glared at each other while waiting for the other to answer.

Ezekiel exhaled as if to calm himself, but he still held my arm. "Let me ask you again. Who. Hurt. You?" His teeth ground as he spoke and the hold on my arm tightened.

"What the fuck did you do to my arm?" My words were venomous as I got in his face. He was not going to win this, my question was way more important.

His jaw ticked as his green eyes flicked back and forth between my eyes. "My magic reacted to an injury on your body. Now, who the fuck injured you?" He asked again.

Magic?

Ezekiel has magic?

"No one you would be able to fight," I sneered at him and got the reaction I wanted as he finally released my arm.

"You underestimate me, woman," Ezekiel announced as I walked to MK.

The predator slept soundly with even breaths and my thoughts raced to how it was possible. I had never heard of potions being able to fix broken bones so swiftly. Ezekiel must've healed him.

Without turning to him, I asked Ezekiel, "What are you?"

"I don't have to tell you," He responded.

I was annoyed at his response but knew it was ultimately his choice. But that didn't mean I couldn't persuade him.

"No, but after ten years of living down the hall from you, I figured you should at least disclose something as important as to whether you are human or not," I snapped at him while running a hand down MK's incredibly soft fur.

"You know, that was the most you have said to me," Ezekiel felt the need to point out and I grew even more irritated at him dodging my question.

My brain raced for answers. I had never seen him shift while angry nor caught him looking anything but himself. However, he had healing magic and strength.

"Are you Fae?" I asked bluntly, though I refused to look at him I knew he was taken off guard by the question as his breathing stuttered.

"Would that change how you view me?" He shot back the question after a moment of silence.

"Only if you continue lying to me," I told him.

"As long as I continue to hear that wonderful voice, I promise to never lie to you again," Ezekiel promised and I nearly allowed myself to wish for a second

To wish for a normal life, one with love and a partner who loved me for who I am and not for what I have done.

"I will leave you alone with him for now, but I imagine Fenris would want you to eat at some point instead of worrying for him." The male shifted behind me and I was up in an instant, facing him with confusion written on my face.

"So you didn't know?" He said smugly.

"Didn't know what?" I gritted between my teeth.

"You didn't think that the feline just wandered up to your room randomly, did you?" The smug look on his face was insufferable and I had an overwhelming urge to slap it off of him or stab it out of him.

"Get to the fucking point."

"Or what, Red?" Ezekiel took a step towards me and looked down at me when I didn't respond he continued. "We should save this fight for another time as someone is waking up," he gestured behind me where deep navy eyes watched me.

"Shift," I nearly growled at the predator.

Ezekiel chuckled from behind me and I had to clutch my fists to avoid lashing out at him.

"He is too weak to shift at the moment, but I am willing to bet that even then he will be hesitant to face your fury," Ezekiel explained before he left the room, ultimately leaving me alone with the spy.

I could only glare at the feline as words would do me no good. I was angry at the male for pretending to be something he wasn't but another side of me was almost joyed at the development. Fenris was a shifter and he had seen a couple of different sides of me, and he still chose to fight for me.

Not many people in my life chose to fight for me and that alone made me hesitant with any and all words that wanted to leave my mouth.

"I want to yell at you for deceiving me, but I have to admit it was rather clever. I am curious to see what you will do with all the information you have gathered from me," I told the predator as I curled up next to him.

The heat from his body seeped into my cloak and dress and I couldn't help but drift to sleep as his soft purring vibrated the bed and sung me to sleep.

~~~~~~

Thank you for reading Chapter 16. Sorry for not uploading for a bit. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope y'all have a great rest of the week. Feedback and comments make me happy.