Chapter 574

• "I am still here," Liam growled, uncharacteristic irritation showing on his face. "Don't I get a say in what happens to me? I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be hurting people I love and placing them in danger. No one will tell me what happened up at the Praetorian Compound. Everyone is taking control of my life, making my decisions for me. Has anyone stopped to think that this complete lack of control may be why I'm struggling to deal with whatever the hell this is that's happening to me right now? If everyone thinks they know what's best for me, telling me what to do and how to act, then how can I ever expect to control this?"
• Liam's outburst was so unexpected that everyone just stared at him for a moment, analysing his words. Could he be right? Had they been so intent on protecting him that they were adding to the problem instead of solving it? Rafe weighed up his words, frowning as he stared at Liam.
• "We were trying to keep you calm," he finally said. "We didn't want a repeat of what happened up at the compound, but it appears that can happen wherever you are. Your emotional backlash affects vampiric minds faster than it does wolf minds. When you lost control before, six of the Praetorians had their minds wiped in some manner. They live, but the essence of who they are is gone. That was what we were trying to protect you from, Liam."