Unarmed.
“Now,”Thorne said, voice like a blade in the dark.“Say goodbye to Elira.”
Slade turned to me.
His eyes—
Gods, his eyes.
Horror. Rage.Regret.
“No…” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, please—don’t.”
He took a step back. Like he was fighting it. Like his body wasn’t his anymore.
“Thorne,” I cried. “Please!Don’t make him do this.”
I stumbled forward, hands raised. My shadows quivered, unstable.
“I’ll go with you.” My voice cracked. “I won’t fight. I swear—I’ll come. Just don’t do this to him.”
Slade’s mouth trembled. His body trembled.
Blood poured from my head and my ears now. My powers were faltering.
Thorne watched. Silent. Cold. Waiting.
“Please,” I begged. “Not like this.”
“The Shades must be eliminated. Elira must be captured.” He muttered it, like it was a song in his head he couldn’t shake.
“Thorne, please - stop!” I begged
But this wasn’t Thorne. This was a shell. And he would not be moved.
“I love you Elle,” Slade whispered. “Never forget that. I love you more than anything in the world. I’m just sorry I didn’t say it until now.”
I had one more blade. The Virell dagger—hidden in my sleeve.
A desperate thought formed. Reckless. Insane. I looked down at it. Then up at him.
Please,I thought.See me.
Slade’s eyes locked with mine. A flicker—barely a nod. But it was enough.
“Step closer,”Thorne ordered.
Slade obeyed.
My heart stopped as his boots scraped against the cliff’s edge.
His breath came in ragged gasps, eyes locked on mine. He was still fighting. Still there. But losing.
“Please,” I whispered. “Don’t do this.”
Slade blinked slowly. Tears streamed down my face.
“I love you, Elle,” he murmured again. “That’s all that matters.”
