CHAPTER 15
Wind got out of Celise’s car and looked at Shade’s and Phoebe’s big villa. It was a beautiful white one-story house with an appealing garden without too much vegetation. He’d always enjoyed coming here, but this time it was different.
Looking at the house didn’t make him want to go near it, and no way in hell he’d allow Celise to come here alone. Not anymore, at least. From now on, he’d always be with her.
There was another cyborg in there, and he didn’t like it. He knew Shade, and Shade was bound to Phoebe, but it didn’t matter. The thought of Shade being alone with Celise during his examination rubbed Wind the wrong way.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine.” His words left his mouth a little too fast, and he instantly regretted his harsh tone when Celise winced.
“Have I done something wrong?”
He frowned. “No, of course not. Why do you think that?”
“You seem so uptight since Phoebe called.”
Wind took her hands in his. “I promise, I’m fine. A lot of things are going on right now. That’s all.”
Her expression softened. “I understand.” Celise locked the car, and they approached the front door.
He couldn’t help but tense when Celise knocked.
Someone approached the door from the inside, and he tightened his grip on her hand.
He wasn’t hurting her, but surprise crossed her face when he pulled her against him.
A smiling Faye opened the door. Her long, blonde hair hung down her shoulders as curiosity lingered in her eyes as she looked them over.
“Faye?” Celise asked.
“Yep. Surprised to see me?” She grinned. “I thought I’d come by since it’s the last day before Shade and Phoebe go on their vacation.” Faye looked around. “Isn’t Diane with you?”
“No, she isn’t feeling the best today. She decided to stay at home.”
Faye made a fake-sounding gasp. “But Wind, how dare you leave your bound one behind? That’s not very thoughtful of you, especially when she isn’t feeling well.”
He’d never had any issues with Faye, but she could be a handful, and teasing him right now was not a good idea. “It’s a long story.”
Her grin darkened. “I’m sure it is.”
He didn’t answer, but his suspicion grew. Did Faye know?
They had to tell everyone eventually, but he couldn’t be the one to say it. Everything inside him still protested, even if his bond had started to accept Celise. She had to be the one to tell everyone.
It would be less painful that way, physically.
The tension he’d felt since Phoebe called only grew as they entered the house.
Shade stood with his bound one in the hallway, greeting them with wide smiles.
Wind tried to smile back, but it came out stiff. He pulled Celise even closer, just in case. The thought of the other cyborg touching her made his stomach turn.
Shade’s smile faded and his gaze narrowed as he studied them.
“We can’t stay long,” Celise said. “We must return to Diane soon.”
Phoebe studied them, too. “Why in such a hurry? I thought we could drink tea after the exam, and talk a little.”
Faye crossed her arms and grinned. “It’s a long story.”
Phoebe arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Faye shrugged. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Wind nodded to himself. Faye did indeed know. Celise had probably told her. It didn’t bother him. It was no secret, but he still preferred his new bound one shared the news.
He had more important things to focus on, like keeping a watchful eye on Shade.
What if the cyborg all of a sudden touched Celise?
“What story?” Shade asked, and took a step closer.
Wind saw red, and slid in front of Celise, blocking the cyborg’s way to her.
A loud gasp went through the hallway.
Shade halted in the middle of a step. He stared at Wind with huge eyes and an open mouth.
Wind glared at him and bared his teeth, daring him to come closer. Shade probably just wanted to stand nearer as they spoke, he meant no harm, but Wind’s mind didn’t care. The cyborg was close enough as it was.
Faye laughed. “This is getting better and better.”
“What the hell’s going on?” Phoebe yelled. “Wind, what’s gotten into you? Why are you threatening Shade? You’re acting like a newborn cyborg all of a sudden!”
He winced and focused on Phoebe. “Newborn?”
“Yes! You look ready to attack Shade just the way a newborn would when he wants to defend his bound one. Don’t you remember how it was?” She grabbed Shade’s arm and tried to pull him back, but he wouldn’t budge.
Shade looked ready to defend himself. His glass-like eyes shone with an intense glow. His big muscles were tense and his hands fisted. His mouth was a straight line, and his gaze set on Wind.
The atmosphere in the house was filled with insecurity.
From the corner of his eye, Wind noticed worry in the women’s eyes, but he was unable to stop himself. He glared at Shade. Phoebe kept talking, but he was deaf to her words. His focus was on the other cyborg. The threat that could hurt his Celise.
If Shade dared to make just one move ...
He wasn’t small, but not as large as Shade. It didn’t matter. Wind wouldn’t allow that to stop him. Taking Shade down wouldn’t be easy, but if it came down to it, he’d protect Celise.
No matter what.
“Wind!”
He jerked when Faye shouted his name.
“Snap out if it, damn it!” she yelled, anger radiating from her eyes.
Wind blinked. Realization hit him, and he gasped. He’d been seconds away from attacking Shade. He shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. “I’m sorry. I never expected to react like this.” He tried to relax, but the need to protect Celise from Shade was overwhelming. The cyborg still stood too close.
“What are you talking about?” Phoebe asked.
Wind took a deep breath. He had to be the one to say it, after all. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too painful. “I’m transferring my bond to Celise. On paper, she’s already my bound one. It’s a process that’ll take some time. We’ve achieved more than expected in one day, but there’s still a long way to go.” He waited for the pain, but to his surprise, it never came.
Phoebe and Shade stared at him with wide eyes and dropped jaws.
Faye’s laughter filled the room. “I told you it’s quite a story.”
Wind looked at Celise. She seemed unsure of what to do, and he didn’t blame her. His unexpected reaction must’ve surprised her, too. He wrapped his arm around her waist in an attempt to comfort her.
She met his gaze, tense and confused, but when he slid his hand down her back, she relaxed, and a smile appeared in the corner of her lips.
He smiled back. Everything was all right.
Wind glanced toward Shade and Phoebe again.
They still stared at him.
“That means Diane—” Phoebe closed her mouth.
He nodded. “Diane’s dying. We don’t know how long she has, but not long. If she dies before my bond’s transferred to Celise, I’ll die with her, and that’s the last thing Diane wants.” Wind stood still, trying not to show the emotional chaos that went on inside him. The thought of losing Diane was unbearable.
Phoebe took a deep breath. “I understand.” She let go of Shade. “That means you’re in transition right now. That would explain your sudden need to protect Celise. The bond’s new to you, just like it’s new to a newborn cyborg.” She went silent for a moment. “You do understand Celise has to touch Shade to examine him, right?”
Wind clenched his fists. “I know.”
“Is it wise of you to be here, then?”
He pulled Celise even closer. “I’m not leaving Celise.”
Phoebe sighed. “Since I know how strong the protective instincts are for you guys when you’re newborn, I doubt they’re any different for you now. That means there’s no way in hell I’m letting you stay here and watch Celise examine Shade. It has to be done before we go on our trip, and I won’t allow you to get in our way.”
Wind glared at Phoebe. “I’m not leaving.”
She threw out with her arms. “Wind, it’s us! Do you really believe any of us will hurt Celise?”
He hesitated. “No, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll snap if Shade touches her.”
Phoebe gave a frustrated sigh. “And that’s why you can’t be here.”
“Let’s tie Shade down,” Faye said.
Everyone stared in her direction.
“What?” She shrugged. “I’m not suggesting some kinky game. What’s wrong with you people?” She flashed a wicked grin before becoming serious. “If Shade’s tied, Wind will have no reason to attack him as Celise examines him.”
Phoebe shook her head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Shade stood silently, with an unpleased expression. Faye’s idea seemed to appeal to him as little as it appealed to Phoebe.
“I think it actually might work,” Celise said.
Phoebe shot her an irritated glare. “What?”
“Let me explain. We don’t have to go as far as to tie Shade. It should be enough if we blind him. We all know how strong a cyborg’s need to protect their bound one is, especially from another cyborg. It’s not something they have much control over. You know that yourself, Phoebe. And if that’s what Wind’s feeling right now, we should listen. Forbidding him to be here will only make it worse, but stopping Shade from seeing me will make him immobile, and that might calm Wind’s bond.”
Wind smiled. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Shade looked unhappy but sighed. “Let’s try it. We have no time to lose, and they have to get back to Diane. The last thing we want is Wind still being bound to her if she dies.”
He gave Shade a grateful look.
Phoebe nodded. “Fine. Let’s go into the living room. It’s big enough to move around in if Wind snaps.” She looked at Shade. “I’m staying with you.” He opened his mouth to say something, but Phoebe raised her hand. “Don’t argue with me. It’ll be a pointless discussion.” She turned to Faye. “You can wait in the kitchen.”
Faye gasped, and her eyes widened. “No way! If Wind loses it, I want to be where the drama is. Besides, I doubt Shade’s the shy type. I’m sure he won’t mind showing some skin, right Shade?” She grinned.
Shade growled. “I told you before. You’ll never touch me. I’m bound to Phoebe.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “And I told you I know that.” She headed into the living room.
“I swear, I’ll strangle that woman one day,” Shade muttered so quietly that Phoebe and Celise wouldn’t be able to hear, but Wind caught it, and couldn’t help his smile. He understood Shade’s frustration so well.
Wind looked at Celise and felt the shift inside him as his bond accepted her a little bit more. That she’d chosen to listen to him meant a lot. It was almost as if each time she showed him understanding and patience, the bond let her in another inch.
And maybe, there was a tiny hint of ... love.