Faelin’s hand trembled. “She was normal at first, loving, doting, until she lost herself, and when she came back, she slaughtered everyone in our home. Ourhome.”
Silence smothered the clearing like ash.
“I thought I knew who she was too,” Faelin whispered, voice breaking. “Until she wasn’t there anymore.”
She looked at Malakai then, not with hatred, but hollow fear.
“So, forgive me,” she exhaled. “If I hesitate to trust another demon walking freely beside us.”
CHAPTER
12
Night bled across the camp, unnaturally dark, and the small flickers of flames were the only remains of the campfire.
Most had settled down hours ago. Even Caleb and Faelin were curled up in their respective bedrolls, a bit away from us, but still close enough to hear us breathe.
I had my bedroll between Malakai’s and Ashley’s. I was facing away from the fire, and away from the two figures keeping watch beside it.
Malakai and Lionel.
My bedroll was warm, but my chest was not. Sleep hovered, coy and distant, the earlier confrontation replaying in my head, each echo sharp.
Our team was divided, and I didn’t know how to unite us. The only way I knew was the one we had created ourselves; fighting together until we trusted our lives with our squadmates once again.
Lionel’s voice broke my thoughts and the low crackle of fire.
“I lost her to you.”
My fingers curled around my blanket as I froze.
What?
Malakai didn’t respond, not immediately. I imagined him looking at Lionel with that infuriating calm of his, waiting for him.
Lionel continued, voice quiet but steady.
“I used to think I’d be the one by her side, that Ishouldbe. I knew her first, grew up with her.” A soft laugh, but not one of amusement. “I thought that meant something.”
Malakai still said nothing and I felt an unease growing inside of me at the growing tension. Was Lionel picking a fight with Malakai, too?
“I thought I could protect her better than anyone,” Lionel went on. “But when I saw her fires… I hesitated. Recoiled from it, fromher.” He drew a breath. “And I knew then, I’d already lost.”
My throat tightened.
He wasn’t picking a fight; he was opening up about his feelings… toMalakai,nonetheless.
“You’re a bit late to the realization.” Malakai finally spoke, voice low but there was no taunt.
Lionel huffed. “I know, I’m not asking for comfort.”
Silence again.
Then Malakai’s tone softened, not warm, but acknowledging. “Takes strength to admit defeat.”
“It’s not defeat,” Lionel corrected. “It’s trust… I trust her choice, and… I trust that you’ll protect her, even from herself, if needed.”
The flames from the campfire crackled and my eyes widened. There was no way I could fall asleep now. Lionel was putting his guard down, showing a side he had let no one else but me see.
