AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Delara brushed by me, marched through the living room, and walked out. From her reaction, she was in disagreement with Waleron and Keir’s decision. One point in her favor.
Anstice slipped her hand in Keir’s. “Kilter, don’t do this. Listen to what they have to sa—”
“Fuck off!”
Keir’s eyes flashed and his jaw clenched as he quietly warned, “Careful.”
Waleron’s ability could only hold me for a minute, and then all hell would break loose.
“You will let her go,” Waleron stated.
I fought Waleron’s power, my eyes burning as my powers surfaced. “You lock her up, you sign her death warrant.”
“She’ll be safe there,” Keir said, slowly moving toward me. “We’d never do anything to harm her. You know that, Kilter.”
A cold fury enveloped me. No, goddamn it. No. I promised her. I fuckin’ promised.
Waleron’s tone was calm and cool. “This is not your decision.” His hold finally dropped and I flexed my hands into fists. “If she chooses to leave rehabilitation, she can. But she must give it a chance.”
“You will destroy what’s left of her.” That’s not what she needed. Not her. Not that way. “I’ll make sure she gets help.”
“No, Kilter,” Waleron said in his monotone voice. “You’re too protective of this woman already.” My eyes darted to his Ink as it shifted on his neck. “You will not have any contact with her while she recovers.”
“What? That’s fuckin’ bullshit,” I ground out.
“Disobey me and I will send you to Rest. Stay away from her,” Waleron ordered. “She needs time. Let this go. One warning. Don’t push it, Kilter.”
I didn’t do well with threats, and I knew this fight could get me put in Rest, but I never backed down from anything in my life. And this was Rayne’s choice, not theirs.
I jerked my head to the side and sent the entire wall of books flying off the shelves and into Hack. With the distraction, I crouched and rolled toward Jedrik who was on his feet now and coming at me. I kicked out and sent him on his ass. He leapt to his feet and dove for me again, and I swung, hitting him in the jaw and sending him back into Hack.
“Cool it, asshole,” Jedrik muttered. “Shit.”
I dove to the right when Waleron’s hands rose. A bolt of energy careened toward me, but I shifted at the last second and it hit an antique chair, sending it flying into the mantel.
I leapt to my feet and ran for the basement stairs, but skidded to a stop when Keir stepped in front of the door and blocked my path.
“Don’t do it, Kilter.”
“Have to,” I said, then swung at him.
Keir ducked. I missed and he barreled at me. His fist slammed into my jaw and I staggered back. Before I gained my balance, he kicked me in the abdomen, but I was ready for it and flipped over and scissor kicked him off his feet.
Doorway clear. I ran for it, but I didn’t reach it before I staggered and fell into the wall. Fuck. What the hell? My vision blurred and I grabbed my head with both hands as I fell to my knees.
Shit. Shit.
Waleron stood a few feet away, the eyes on his Ink bright red as it slithered on his neck. “I told you, I warn once. Six months.”
Six months? The bastard was putting me in Rest?
I reached for the doorknob, twisted, and then collapsed onto my back. I fought like hell to keep my eyes open, straining against the heavy weight that refused to give way to my impenetrable will. I tried to urge my Ink to rise, but it was too late. I was too late.
“I promised her. Don’t lock her away again,”I said to Waleron. “Christ, what he made her do… You know what it’s like to be abused, Waleron. Give her the choice… find another way…”
I slipped into the hell of Rest.
