She felt save in his embrace even though she knew how dangerous he was. Everyone else would tell her how stupid she was to trust him because the High Queen's Bloodied Hands wasn't someone to trust. Yet he comforted her in a way that only Irial could match and she was ready to give up everything to make this feeling last. Because of his strength he could abide her draining touch for a while. Because of his power in court he was feared by most fey. And because of his beauty she couldn't take her eyes off him.

He hadn't told her why he'd found her. In fact, he hadn't told her anything but closed his arms around her immediately, keeping her from running away. She knew he'd found her by tracking with blood. The droplet she'd shed in the club that night when they'd first seen each other was enough for him to find her everywhere she went. It was a question of time until she'd see him again and that day had eventually come. His solid body was like a wall that shielded her from all the evil outside of his realm. It didn't only make her stay, everything else seemed sort of distant. She wouldn't let him go, let her be vulnerable again. Despite knowing how foolish her behavior was she also felt that it was not right. Nothing was right. Bananach had ordered Seth's and Niall's deaths. Unless she did the deed she'd die. Not even Devlin could save her then, could he? At least he was the brother of War and Reason.

No matter which decision she made, it'd cost someone's life. It was impractical to suppress the thought. She had a hard time to relax lately not even he could help her to do so.

Finally, she broke the silence. "What do you want from me?"

He looked down on her. His emotions were locked behind a wall and his face was unreadable, yet his words were kind and warm. "I want to keep you safe from both of my sisters. Sorcha wants your death and Bananach wants your peculiarity."

"My court will provide my guard." She refused to separate from the Hounds. She wasn't all in yet and should be taken away again, that was not of her interest. Responding to her refusal, he closed his eyes, laying all of his conviction into his next words.

"Ani, no one can keep you safe if not me. Sorcha ordered your death long ago and I've spared you. Bananch believes I'm on her side now. Trust me." She already did. She believed every single word he'd said. While he talked, his arms closed slightly closer around her. And suddenly, be broke away.

"Sorry, I can't control it." She felt guilty for taking away his energy. Now there was no reason to fear him anymore, he could barely stand. "Seth will take care of you. I'm leaving." The thought of leaving him again made her heart ache, still she wasn't one to run away from the danger that awaited her. Before he could say anything else, she was out the door and gone. Seth who'd sat at the other end of the room rose and brought some of the silvery liquid that'd bring some of his power back. "You can't catch chaos, brother. You can lure her though."

Devlin sank onto the couch and sipped the draught. His thoughts were tangled and his emotions at the verge of breaking through. Nobody had been able to shake him like this over centuries. Ani could. For him every aspect of her was worth keeping her alive. The question was if she was worth betraying Reason and fighting War.