He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Something faint, fragile, pulsed through her chest. Their bond. Not the blaze it had once been but a soft ripple. Enough to remember what it was like before the emptiness. Before he died. It took every ounce of her strength not to run to him. Not to throw herself into his arms, drag him away from the battle, away from Silas, get him to safety. Every part of her screamed for it. But that’s not why she was here. She would save him – but she couldn’t risk Vallenna’s future. He wouldn’t want that. That’s not what he had died for. She took a moment to orientate herself. Work outwhenshe was in the battle. She whipped around towards the sand. Silas was climbing over the bodies on the shore, cutting throughanyone that got in his way. A hatred unlike any Kara had ever felt coursed through her.
You took him from me.
She watched Sebastian and her past self inch closer together. Shoulder to shoulder. She remembered what they were saying:
We’ll fight him together.
She had minutes. If that. She had to find the soldier who had dragged her from Sebastian’s side. End him before he could. She looked frantically across the chaos, her heart pounding. She wouldn’t be too late this time. But she couldn’t let Sebastian see her. Or the other her. She was still in her black funeral gown – if he saw two of her, one in mourning dress – a spark of recognition, any distraction, could cost them victory. She had to stay in the shadows. Hidden. Deadly.
But there were somany.It was a melee of bodies, Draken and Vallennan alike. Panic clawed at her. Silas had reached Sebastian.
No, no, no. Where are you?
She scanned the chaos, once, twice more. She had no idea what direction the soldier approached from. She’d never seen him coming.
One chance. Don’t waste it.
The Arcanth’s words echoed in her head.
Don’t let me be too late again. Please.
And then she saw him.
She would never forget his face. The reason Sebastian had died. But there was no fear, not anymore. Only rage. Pure, burning rage. She’d seen him every night in her nightmares, grinning as he tore her away. And now here he was, climbing onto the shore just minutes behind Silas, his eyes locked on his master. Her vision blurred with fury, every part of her shaking with it.
She ran. Faster than she ever had in her life. Faster than she’d thought herself capable of.
She snatched a sword off the ground by a fallen Thorne soldier and hurled herself at the Draken. He’d been so focused on Silas he’d been blind to any other threat. The force of her strike, the sheer speed of it, drove him to the ground. His face wasn’t grinning this time. She would make sure he never would again. His arms came up – a useless attempt to shield himself. But she was too fast, too strong, crimson bursting to life all over her. Without hesitation or mercy, she drove her blade deep into his neck. Hot blood spurted out onto her hands.
“You won’t separate us this time,” she snarled viciously as death claimed him.
She stood, blade dripping with blood, and felt nothing but satisfaction. She whirled back towards Sebastian – alive – and watched in awe, in admiration, as he and the other Kara fought together. Driving Silas back. She took a step forward, her body aching to help them.
No. You can’t.
Her gaze swept the field instead, frantic, sword gripped tightly in her hand, hunting for the next threat, others that would tear them apart. But none came. Her eyes snapped back to Sebastian.
Still standing. Still breathing. The other Kara by his side.
I love you. I love you. You can do this.
Golden magic surrounded the pair, light exploding from them against the shadow. She watched as Sebastian parried, the other Kara swinging low, knocking Silas off balance just in time for Sebastian to land a blow that threw Silas to the ground.
Sebastian raised his blade.
Kill him. Kill him now.
Kara froze. Inky black tentacles of icy smoke had begun to unfurl from her palms, snaking upwards, binding her in place. The Arcanth was calling her back. Sebastian’s blade came down–
Please let it have been enough.
Please.
Please.
The world fell away once more. Agony flared through Kara again, but it was short-lived. She hit the ground, gasping, choking on the black smoke.
