Marked By Lies: A Reverse Harem Series (The Marked Series Book 1) by Paige Orr (the red fox clan TXT) 📗

One thing is for sure, we shouldn't have put a human in the way of danger in the first place. Hopefully, the others have come to this realization as well, because something tells me that Melissa won't walk away from this case without a fight. Putting herself in harm’s way for people that she doesn’t even know, makes no fucking sense though.

I watch her closely as she fidgets, refusing to meet anyone's gaze, and I know this strong-willed woman won’t back down from helping innocent people. I just wish I could make her see things from our point of view. Here’s a woman who isn't connected to this in any way, who was seriously injured because of us. Of course, we wouldn’t want her to keep going, that would be purely selfish of us. Seeing that none of the others know what to say to her, I decide to take matters into my own hands.

“I don’t know if the others feel the same way as I do, but I can’t in good conscience let you keep putting yourself in danger. It was fucking lucky that there was someone who could get to you in time to do what needed to be done to stop the poison killing you.”

I can tell that what I’ve said has pissed her off, but one of us had to say it. I don’t think any of us could live with ourselves if she died trying to help our people. The Fae are known for being proud creatures who don’t like to owe debts to people, and the life debt that we owe Melissa now is astonishing.

If it were anyone else, we would have stopped her sooner, but with how desperate we have been to solve this situation, we’ve become complacent. We’ve never had to rely on someone else to help us, and I’m sure that’s making the guilt I’m feeling even worse. I can’t even pretend to be my usual fun-loving self when I know that I’m making someone else do my work for me.

She seems to be at least thinking over what I had to say, which I’m thankful for, but I can see that she is going to turn down my request. Melissa seems to have a strong sense of justice, and I know that if I was in her position, I would react the same way. It’s remarkable in a way, I just wish that my feelings weren't clouding my decisions so much.

Not only does she know that innocent people are more than likely being hurt, but whoever sent that Harpy has made this shit personal for her. I can see the others out of the side of my eye watching our transaction and I know that they won’t be giving me any help with this, and putting myself in her shoes is making me double think asking her to take a step back from this all. Surely she can see that I’m just worried about her but by what comes out of her mouth next I know that’s not the case.

“Look, I know you might just see me as some weak little human that is more trouble than she’s worth. But whoever sent that thing to that house is obviously getting spooked. That can mean one of two things, either they have seen how close we are getting to finding them out, or they are getting close to whatever their end goal is. Either way, I can’t give up, not now.”

I let out a sigh of resignation as I pace along the bottom of her bed. How can I make this woman understand that she is anything but weak? Fuck, I don’t think any of us in this room would have been able to take down a Harpy, and yet she managed it with almost no trouble at all. Either the bullets she has in her guns are something special, or we are seriously missing something here.

I don’t want her to think that we see her as a liability. I don’t exactly understand the feeling that she has managed to stir up in me in such a short amount of time. No woman had ever made me feel like this, and without blowing my own trumpet, there have been many over the years. All I know is something inside me wants to protect her, so I have to make her understand.

“It’s not that I don’t think you can handle this shit, kitten. In fact, I think what you accomplished today is impressive. Having nothing but yourself and two guns, you managed to take down a fully grown Harpy. That in itself makes you stronger than anyone I know, human or not.”

The doubt shining from her eyes shows me how little she believes me, but I don’t know how to convince her that what I’m saying is the truth. She knows that Fae can’t lie, so I don’t get why she’s struggling so much to accept what I’m saying. I wish there was some way to show her how I see her. She almost reminds me of my old friend Athena, who is one of the most badass chicks to ever grace this earth.

The way that Melissa has steeled her resolve and is refusing to back down is so like the Goddess of war that I can’t stop the smile from turning up the corner of my lips. If I learned anything from my days in Greece with Athena, it’s that arguing with such a strong-willed female just makes her resolve stronger, but maybe there's a way that I could make sure that no one can harm her again.

“Alright kitten, you win, but only if you[2] agree to bring at least one of us with you for backup. I just don’t want you getting hurt again, so surely this isn’t too much to