"What the fuck?" An angry voice startled me awake.

Lifting my head off the muscular chest under my cheek, I glanced up at its owner. Tyler groaned as his arms tightened around me, tugging me closer. A blanket covered us, but I was only in my panties, and he was only in his boxer briefs.

"Motherfucker!" Lucas yelled from across the room.

Tyler's heavy eyelids lifted in the dim morning light as his gaze fixed on the doorway, but it was too late. Lucas was already next to us, yanking him away from me. Tyler released me just before he nearly pulled me out of bed along with him.

"Dude, chill the fuck out!" Tyler struggled to find his footing and shoved Lucas.

"Chill? You're fucking sleeping almost naked with her! I should've known. What happened to 'she just got back' and 'give her time to remember'? You of all people should know what happens when you move too fast." Lucas shouted in his face, shoving him back. His enraged expression was scary.

Now fully awake, I held the blanket over my chest as I sat up and searched for my shirt and pants. I needed to get away from Lucas. Whatever line I'd crossed this time was obviously too much for his fragile temper to handle.

Spotting my shirt on the floor, I tumbled out of the bed as I rushed to grab it.

"Shortie, don't." Tyler's low voice sounded exhausted. "You can stay. We still need more sleep."

"There's no way I can sleep now." Pulling my shirt over my head, I noticed Justin studying my half-naked body from the doorway. I hurried to tug my shirt down over my breasts and threaded my arms through the sleeves before I snatched my joggers and yanked them on.

Justin's confusion was apparent as he watched me get dressed. I could see the mixed emotions behind his eyes. Envy, regret, and hunger.

"Morning." I waved at Justin, uncertain about what to do.

Justin didn't answer as his eyes raked over me again and moved to the guys in a shouting match.

Lucas dragged Tyler over to Justin. "Punish him. He fucking took advantage of her. She can't even remember who she is."

"No, he didn't." I wrapped my arms around Tyler's waist. Tyler wound his arm around me, hugging me close. "I asked him if I could sleep in here. I didn't want to sleep in..."

I paused when I realized I was about to hurt Lucas. I didn't want to hurt his feelings even if he was being an asshole.

Justin examined how tight I was holding Tyler's waist before his eyes lifted to meet with Tyler's. "Why do you always do this? We discussed keeping our distance."

Tyler shrugged and rubbed my shoulder. "She doesn't belong to any of us. She's just as much mine as she is yours, or Lucas's, and you know I would never hurt her. I don't see what the problem is."

"He's taking advantage of the situation. He's been all over her since she woke up, and he hasn't given her the space to remember what she needs to remember. She doesn't understand what their history is." Lucas's enraged gaze fell on me, and I curled further into Tyler's side. "You don't even remember what he did to you. If you did, you wouldn't let him anywhere near you right now."

Pulling away from Tyler, I walked over to Lucas. I stopped in front of him, screaming in his face. "I. Don't. Care!"

"What?" Lucas laughed sarcastically as he searched my face. "You don't know what you're saying. You'd never do something so reckless. Tyler purposely hurt you on more than one occasion before you were taken. I know my girl, and I want her back. She would've been a lot more choosey about who she gave her first orgasm to."

What the fuck? My face burned with embarrassment. How did Lucas know? Refusing to let him win, my nostrils flared as I yelled. "I said, I don't give a flying fuck what Ty did. I remember how sad he was when I was gone. He's only been good to me since I got back, and unlike someone I know, he doesn't lose his shit every time life doesn't go his way!"

Lucas's eyes lit to a emerald glow as he examined me, calculating. "Last night, you said you were lost in your head. I just don't understand why you would crawl into bed with him so quickly, and give him something so special."

"Because for some reason, that I still can't remember, I chose all of you. I heard you guys calling me when I was in Purgatory. That's why I came back. Not so I could get slut-shamed first thing in the fucking morning. If you want me, then you guys need to figure out how to share me. But, honestly, with the way you've been acting, I'm not sure why I chose you to begin with." My words were full of animosity as Lucas flinched under my raging glare. My gaze fell to the carpet as I shook my head and walked toward the door. "I can't believe this is what I wanted for myself."

"Gorgeous, wait," Lucas called, but I ignored him.

Walking around Justin, I left. There had to be a bathroom around here. I needed some fucking alone time. This living situation was overwhelming, and I was sick and tired of their shit already.

Why was I even here? I needed a home to go to. I didn't want to be around their crappy attitudes all the time. I started opening doors, looking for a restroom. Nope, not that one. I slammed it closed. Nope, not that one either. Slam!

"Angel?" Justin was behind me.

Looking over my shoulder, I opened another door to find a closet. I slammed it shut. "What?"

"Did Tyler take you straight into his room last night?" Justin was interrogating me. Again!

I sighed in aggravation and faced him, folding my arms. "No. Tyler took me into Lucas's room first and told me he was gonna wake him up, but I told Tyler I wanted to sleep in his bed instead. Any more questions?"

Justin's light brown eyes searched mine before he frowned. "No."

"Actually, I have a question. That's allowed, isn't it? I'm allowed to make decisions, too, right?" I snapped.

Justin exhaled as he closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah."

"Good. How do I go home? I don't wanna live with you guys and I shouldn't have to. I want to go to a home where I have a room that belongs to me." I scoffed and gestured toward Tyler's room. "Because this shit's never gonna work. I need my space and being woken up at the fucking butt crack of dawn by angry people isn't the way I want to spend my life. I need peace. I can't be expected to know all the answers, or ask the right fucking questions when I don't even know my own name!"

When I said the last sentence, I aimed my words toward Tyler's room, hoping Lucas would get the message. I hated that Justin had to be the receiver of all that, but I was in a bad mood, and there was no going back now.

Justin's jaw clenched as he nodded slowly. "I'll see what I can do."

Justin's voice was distracted and distant. It sounded like he was patronizing me, which caused me to lose all hope of ever getting out of here. When I finally found the bathroom, I walked in and shut the door, locking it.

Pressing my back to the door, I slid down to the floor and started sobbing. There were no other options for me. Not only did I hate that I was coming between them, but I also hated that I was stuck here with nowhere to go. I never intended to make them fight, and I never meant to get so upset. Being woken up so early in the morning made me lose my shit. And, damn it, I was just like Lucas, wasn't I?

"Shortie," Tyler knocked on the door. "You okay in there?"

Wiping my eyes, I sniffed and stood, but I didn't open the door. "I'm fine. I just need to get cleaned up."

"You don't sound fine. Can I come in?" Tyler asked.

"I'll be okay for fifteen minutes. Just give me some alone time, please?" My voice trembled as I pleaded.

"Okay. Just holler if you need anything." Tyler said quietly before he walked away.

Turning on the bathtub faucet, I let the water cascade over my hand. I needed me time, and a bath was a good start.

Hearing the guys start whispering in the other room, I tuned them out as I got undressed. There had to be a better way. I knew they cared about me, and I cared about them, but our living arrangement was ridiculous.

Slipping into the warm bath, I scrubbed all the symbols off my body. After I washed and conditioned my hair, I found a razor and shaved every unwanted hair off my skin. Then, I shut my eyes and leaned my head back. It was time to remember my parents. I needed them... like pronto.

The flash of a woman yelling at me came to mind. My mom? Why would my mom be yelling at me? I wasn't a bad person. I was horribly blunt, but I knew I would do everything in my power to please my parents. I mean, as long as they weren't criminals or killers or something.

A light knock came at the door, and I sighed without answering. Ignoring the second knock, I slid under the water and held my breath for as long as possible. Suddenly, something smashed inside the bathroom. Popping out of the water, I found Lucas standing over me with a wild look in his eyes.

"What the fuck?" I stood and hurried to grab a towel to cover myself as I noticed the broken door frame. "Have you lost your fucking mind?"

"Shit, Ember! Why didn't you answer?" Lucas's eyes were full of wild shock as he analyzed me. "When you didn't answer, I thought... fuck..." Lucas raked a hand through his messy hair, "Never mind. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? You just broke the door down because I don't wanna talk to you, and you're sorry? I'm butt naked, Lucas! Do you hear how crazy you sound?" Holding the towel tightly around me, I knelt and drained the bathtub. "Just leave."

Lucas stood behind me for a long moment. The heat rolling between us was palpable as a strange passionate urge swept over me. I couldn't figure out if I wanted to scream at him again, or tackle him and kiss every bit of anger out of him.

When he finally sighed and left, I shut my eyes and rubbed my forehead as I leaned against the counter. I needed to start remembering my life, so I could get out of here. Being here was going to drive me insane.

Quickly drying myself with the door still broken open, I got dressed, and walked out of the bathroom, and yelled. "Where's my stuff?"

"In the garage," Justin yelled from somewhere downstairs.

Figuring the garage was somewhere downstairs, I started searching. It took forever and the guys were nowhere to be seen. My ignorance of this huge house was irritating. If this was my house, I would know where the fucking garage was. I had to have a home somewhere. The guys had mentioned my aunt and mom, but they were human, and I wasn't, whatever the fuck that meant. If I wasn't human, then what was I?

When I finally found the stupid garage, there were three vehicles parked inside. A black motorcycle, a black truck, and a black Challenger. Damn. Someone had a lot of money. And someone loved black, but I wasn't complaining.

I spotted a guitar case on top of a pile of boxes and bags in the corner and grinned. I opened a box and shuffled through some frilly costumes, leotards, and ballet shoes. It was a box of dance clothes. Could I dance? Unable to answer that question, I shut the box and gave the guitar a try.

Maybe it was like riding a bike.When I touched it, I could feel the energy emanating off the polished wood. It was definitely familiar, and I knew someone played it often.

Sitting on the floor, I began strumming, and before I knew it, I was playing a song. I knew the words, so I started to sing. "It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart. Without saying a word, you can light up the dark. Try as I may, I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing. The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you catch me if ever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all."

I stopped playing when I felt the tears prick at the back of my eyes. Holy shit. I knew this song backward and forward, and it meant something to me. So, I was a musician and a dancer.

Hanging the guitar around my shoulders, I started digging through more boxes. I had to have pictures from my past. I needed something to jog my memory.

I wanted to jump for joy when I found a journal. It was chockfull of things I'd drawn and documented. Clearly, I spent a lot of time alone with my diary.

Thumbing through it, I found a picture of me with a good looking guy and a pretty girl on the beach. We all looked happy. I wondered who they were as I started reading. The guy's name was Josh, and the girl was Katie. Josh was my boyfriend, and Katie was my bestfriend. Where were they now?

Had the guys abducted me? As soon as I thought the question, I knew the answer was no. Still, it was a perfectly acceptable assumption, given the circumstances. They could've been the reason I was sent to Purgatory, but I knew that wasn't true either. I'd done it to myself. I'm not sure what I did, but I knew that I was the reason I ended up in the dark place.

Gently strumming my guitar, I continued thumbing through my journal. In the front, I found a picture of a young girl next to a man. Was that me? And my... dad?

I stared at him for a long time. His muscular arm rested on my shoulder as we both smiled at the camera. I had his facial structure and his dark brown hair. His soulful brown eyes mirrored mine. We were at a theme park. I had mouse ears on. I couldn't remember the day it was taken, but I knew him.

He was the man I watched being tortured endlessly in my dreams. Why couldn't I remember him better? I just needed a little more time to yank my stupid memories free, and then I needed to save him.

Flipping through the book, I noticed multiple sketches and lots of song lyrics before I stopped on a detailed drawing of a black Chevy Challenger.

It was—no shit—the exact car sitting in front of me. Examining my sketch, I compared it to the car in front of me. How in the fuck? Was this my car?

"It took me a while to save up for it," Tyler said from the doorway. "I bought it last year."

Okay. I guess it was his car, but why had I drawn it before I met him? There was nothing about Tyler, Justin, or Lucas in my journal.

Glancing over my shoulder, I studied Tyler leaning against the door frame. "Why'd you buy it?"

"Because you wanted it. I saw it in my dreams over and over. It's just how our connection works." Tyler grinned like he was recalling a fond memory.

I shook my head. "But that makes no sense. I know you said something about dreams last night, but now that I'm actually thinking it through, I'm confused. I need to know who I am. This little piecemeal game you guys have going isn't enough for me. I need real answers. Why am I here? Why did I go to Purgatory? What am I?"

Tyler smirked and approached me, reaching for the journal.

I handed it to him and watched as he studied my sketch of the Challenger.

Leaning against his car, he grinned. "It's nice to finally see it in real life. It's exactly the same. Do you know how many times I've seen this drawing?"

I shook my head, scrutinizing him.

"Five hundred and twelve times." Tyler closed the journal before handing it back to me. "I know this sketch like the back of my hand."

Taking the book, I stared at him, completely speechless.

"Do you know how many times Lucas dreamed of his truck?" Tyler asked.

I shook my head, wondering where Lucas was.

"Two hundred and fifteen," Lucas said from behind me.

I spun to face him, and his kind, calm demeanor surprised me. He leaned against the garage wall and propped up his leg, folding his arms. His body language brought a recent memory back. I'd seen him stand like that before in front of a school.

Lucas sent me a sexy half-smile and gestured toward the motorcycle. "Do you know how many times Justin dreamed of his bike?"

I shook my head.

"Three hundred and fifty-seven times." Justin appeared in the doorway and held the top of the door frame as he stared at me. His hair was spiky now.

"I don't know what to say. Does this happen often?" I searched Justin's face and then glanced at Lucas. "I mean, you guys dreaming about the things I want?"

"It's happened with countless things for our entire lives." Lucas walked toward me as his eyes glowed bright green. He leaned on the front of the truck, examining my guitar hanging around my shoulders.

My eyebrows flew up as I thought about all the things I could've ever wanted and realized they were plagued with my bullshit. "I'm sorry. That must be really shitty. How do we stop that from happening?"

"Why?" Justin squinted and sent me a tiny half-smile that revealed one of his dimples.

I hadn't noticed it until now, but Justin was freshly shaven. The way he leaned forward as he gripped the top of the door frame was so damn sexy. His light brown gaze swept over my face, waiting for me to answer, but I was lost in him. His hair was spiked out in crazy directions and his biceps were fully flexed while he analyzed me.

Tyler cleared his throat. "Why do you wanna stop the dreams, Shortie?"

Blinking hard, I glanced at Tyler, and then Lucas. "Because you deserve to make your own choices. Not to be cursed with my crap. You're all individuals. I don't have any right influencing your desires. It's not fair to any of you."

"See?" Justin's eyes flared to a bright gold as he glanced at both Tyler and Lucas.

Lucas and Tyler nodded as their eyes flamed green and blue.

"See what?" I was perplexed.

Lucas moved toward me slowly as his eyes took me in hungrily. "Anyone else would find enjoyment in something like that, Gorgeous, but you want to free us from it. Not that we want to be freed from our connection, but no one ever talks like that in the Guardian Realm, and that's what we need. You're who we need. We need a leader who cares, not one who controls. You're definitely the Queen."

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