And then, thosethingsglided forward and slipped into the portal.
No. No. NO!Lexi shouted in her head as she struggled to keep her face impassive and her spiraling panic under control.
When the shadows returned from the portal, they curled around Cole’s leg, slid up his side, and into his eyes. Lexi forced herself not to shudder, but Cela did. Yamala remained unmoving.
“How do you know so much about the Reaver?” Lexi demanded of her.
“I know some of the legend stating the Reaver and the shadows are one. Did I know for sure he would be able to send them ahead to see our new land? No. But I suspected he could. Did you get what you needed, Reaver?”
A muscle in Cole’s jaw twitched. “Yes. I can find the realm, and you, again.”
“Then we’re all learning more about the Reaver,” Yamala said. “We will be there when you’re ready for us.”
Lexi didn’t like the appraising way Yamala studied Cole. It wasn’t lustful but more like she was searching for a weakness. Cole must have sensed it too, as the shadows stopped moving and, as one, turned toward her.
Yamala held her ground, but Lexi could see the strain on her face for her to do so. Lexi couldn’t tell if it was admiration or apprehension in the woman’s eyes.
“It’s time for us to leave,” Cole said.
“Wait!” Yamala held up her hand as Cole started toward the portal he’d left open.
She turned to the human captive and beckoned him forward. He bowed his head as he shuffled forward with his chains rattling. Yamala grasped the loose end of the chain and tugged him forward more quickly. She held out the chain as she stepped toward Lexi.
“We’re not evil; we are simply immortals who have our way of doing things,” Yamala said.
Lexi didn’t point out they didn’t have to kill and capture sailors to survive. The dark fae didn’t need to create the shadow kissed, the vampires didn’t have to feed on humans or immortals, the lycan could learn how to control their tempers, and all immortals could be different somehow.
But they were who they were, and they were each special and unique. Her ancestors were a bunch of inflexible idiots who destroyed each other.
If she became queen, all she could do was hope to make the Shadow Realms a better place and learn from past mistakes. That was probably easier said than done, but she would do her best.
“Here is a token to show we mean what we say. We will stand by you to bring down the Lord,” Yamala said.
She held the chain out to Lexi, who hesitated before taking it.
“We will not give up our ways, but we are willing to work together,” Yamala continued.
“And so are we,” Lexi said.
Lexi hated that the man trailed her like a dog as she followed Cole through the portal, but she smiled as they returned to the prison realm.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
When they returned,Varo gathered clothes for the man they brought back, and Cole broke off his chains. Lexi stayed nearby to ensure the man was safely ensconced in a room.
Free of his chains, clothed, and freshly washed, he turned toward her as she started to close the door. “I’m Johnny,” he said as his blue eyes met hers. “And thank you for taking me from there.”
Lexi winced as guilt pierced her heart. She was glad he was free, but she didn’t deserve his gratitude. “I was going to leave you there.”
“I know, but you didn’t want to.”
“That doesn’t make it any better.”
She closed the door before he could say anymore and stepped away as fresh tears burned her eyes. The truth of her words rang in her head.
She’d been willing to leave him there, to sacrifice him to win this war. It was something sheneverwould have believed herself capable of only a few months ago.
So much had changed since then, and so many lives rode on her and Cole’s shoulders. She could barely remember the naïve girl she’d been when the invitation to the Gloaming first arrived.
