Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(38)

“I’ll fix this, Summer,” he whispered without knowing how.

Unaccustomed to feeling helpless, Beck flipped channels until he found something to distract him. He didn’t see much of what he watched but remained, wanting to give the vulnerable girl in his arms some peace.

He sensed Decker’s presence before his twin spoke.

“Not interested in this Autumn?” Decker’s voice was cool.

Beck did his best not to tense up and disturb Autumn. He kept his gaze on the television for a long moment.

“You were right about her being in pain,” he said at last. “This is the first night she’s slept without it.”

“You’re not the only one who can help her.”

“No, but I’m not going to hurt her,” he said, looking at Decker. “You can’t say the same.”

Decker was pissed. He looked calm, but Beck saw the tension in his jaw. Decker sat in one of the armchairs.

“I thought you were going to stay away, Decker,” he pointed out.

Decker rubbed his face. “I didn’t think she was your type.”

Beck heard it then, the competitive edge. They’d been opponents in sports and academics. The idea of putting Autumn between them – knowing what Decker was capable of and how little control he had – scared him for the first time.

“Are you?” he ventured. “Interested in Autumn?”

Decker eyed him. “Are you?”

“Yeah, I think I am,” Beck said.

“I didn’t think I was until I showed up a few minutes ago.”

At least Decker was honest. Beck thought hard about what to do. When they competed in sports, it was war. They were already facing down the Light-Dark divide, especially after they had their upcoming talk about the Light witchlings.

“What if we both walk away?” Decker’s voice was quiet. “Chances are, I’ll be eaten up by the madness soon. And you’ve got a baby on the way. You don’t need another issue like that popping up.”

Beck snorted. Decker almost sounded like his overprotective brother for the first time in weeks. He studied his twin. Decker was dead serious. His gaze was still, and Beck assessed the only reason they weren’t at each other’s throats physically was because they were brothers. Decker looked ready to kill.

“Okay,” he agreed. “We both walk away from her in the morning. Right now, I want her to enjoy her only night of pain-free sleep.”

The skin around Decker’s eyes softened as he looked at Autumn. There was guilt and indecision in his gaze. Beck saw it, trying to understand exactly what his brother was thinking. Decker wanted her … but didn’t want to want her. He didn’t understand that the attraction between him and Autumn was because of Summer.

“You can stay to make sure I don’t take advantage,” Beck said, smiling.

Decker shook his head and rose. “I’ve gotta go. Don’t break our deal, Beck, because I’ll be watching.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.”

Decker rolled his eyes. A moment later, he was gone.

Beck’s smile faded. He hadn’t liked the way Decker considered Autumn, almost like she was his already. It made Beck feel sick knowing she was stuck in the middle. They’d both be waiting for the other to mess up. This kind of competition wasn’t anything he foresaw, but if they both did as they said they would, she’d be safe.

Unless Decker loses control.

One thing was certain: Beck had to find a way to distance himself while not letting Autumn out of his sight.

Restless, Beck forced himself to stay put. When dawn crept through the windows, he gently moved her and stood. The fire had died down, and the room was chilly. Her body curled without his warmth.

Beck draped his jacket over her, gaze lingering on her features. He wiped his mouth, not sure what to do. Finally, he left through the front door. The morning was cold enough that tiny clouds formed every time he expelled a breath. He shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way through the new snow to the forest.

“Sam?” he called quietly from the edge of the forest.

The yeti rarely responded when Beck sought him. He waited for a moment, knowing Sam would signal him if he wanted to be found. The trees on either side of him shook themselves free of snow. Beck stepped back, smiling. They were the only ones that shed their white coats. It was as much of a sign as anything.

He waited for them to stop then stepped into the forest. The earth cleared a path for him, and he shivered as he walked along it. He walked for a full ten minutes before the yeti finally appeared, a splash of red against the white backdrop.

“You came!” Beck said.

Our roles changed when you became the Master of Light.

“Someone’s gotta share the rule book with me!”

Sam smiled kindly. You are troubled. Come with me.

Beck crossed his arms, cold, and obeyed. The yeti walked through the forest for a few minutes before pausing in front of what remained of a massive tree at the base of a hill. He entered the gaping hole of the stump.

Beck followed, curious. He was surprised to see the interior fashioned into some sort of dwelling, with chairs, a hammock, table, a small fire.

“Is this your house?” he asked.

One of them. We have several throughout the forest.

“Cool.” Beck sat in front of the fire on a stool. He shook off the cold and warmed his hands.