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Becauseitwas the reason for her demise. My soul had been attached to hers, by no choice of her own, and the loss of it is what had killed her.
“I don’t care,” I said.
“What was taken can be returned,” the boy continued in a patient voice. “Her soul is lingering because of your bond, but it won’t stay forever. There’s not much time.”
I stilled.
“You can put it back?”
Jo nodded. His expressive brown eyes were full of understanding and empathy. “I can.”
“Jo,” Clara said, her brows furrowing, a deep crease forming. She hugged herself, rubbing her arms. “I want her back too, but this kind of magic isn’t ... it’s not possible.”
“Do it,” I said, ignoring Clara’s protests. I didn’t hesitate at the thought of saving Reagan.
If the choice was between having my soul or having my mate, there was no question. I wouldalwayschoose her.
Jo knelt on the opposite side of her body and laid one hand on her chest. His smile was sad and sweet. “She fought so hard for you. She stripped Abyssian of his soul as she died. His body is as much a husk as hers—except he still lives.”
“How do you know that?” Clara asked him.
“I can see it,” he answered simply, nodding toward Abyssian’s prone body. “It’s whole. Not split like yours, Caius. It’s hovering, but the veil hasn’t opened for him since he’s not truly dead.”
Clara cursed in Spanish, her eyes narrowing.
He shook his head. “I’ll bring her back for you, Caius.”
“Wait,” Clara said, kneeling and putting a hand on Jo’s back. Confusion and fear filled her features.
He smiled at her. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I know what I’m doing.”
With one hand still on her chest, he extended his other toward my soul, coaxing it to him. It floated effortlessly, then the orb slowly touched his fingertips, the glowing light pouring into him. It moved through Jo’s body, down one arm, and into his chest. He tilted his head back, his eyes shining a brilliant white. Blinding light emitted from his mouth as he gasped harshly, fissures developing on his skin, light seeping through the cracks. Clara shouted his name, putting her hands on him, trying to absorb magic and help him, but nothing happened. Tears streamed down her face, matching my own—but for very different reasons.
Jo’s fingertips began to shimmer, pushing the light into Reagan. Time moved slowly, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off her.
I’d seen loss a thousand times over, but now it was my own. In the end, loved ones called out to the gods. It didn’t matter which god they believed in. They asked for mercy. Prayed for forgiveness, as if somehow this was their punishment. They promised anything, if only the dying would be saved. They would beg and bargain and plead. They apologized for their transgressions, offering their life instead.
With Reagan’s death, I was no different.
I just never imagined a god would answer.
Chapter41
Reagan
Death wasn’t that terrible. The pain leading to it was, but my rage had shrouded me in a protective blanket, shielding me from the worst of it.
Caius was safe. I felt Abyssian’s soul rip from his being moments before I felt nothing at all.
Still, here, wherever I was, alone and hollow, I still felt love.
Caius.
My mate.
In the darkness, I waited, but for what, I didn’t know.
A small, angelic figure in the distant void called my name.
