But seeing them look at me like that, with Malakai missing. The way it didn’t die immediately from one shot…
I was sure of it…
But—
No, I had to be right, that was what my gut was telling me. It was no coincidence that the fog had separated us.
Right?
“I was worried for nothing, I see,” I heard off to the side and my head turned quickly.
Relief washed over me as I saw Malakai, my eyes burning as he waited a second too long, making me doubt myself.
“Idiot,” I muttered low, all broken with no edge.
“How… how did you know it was a fake?” Ashley stammered confused.
“Well,” I said awkwardly, my hand holding the gun still trembling. “It called me ‘mydear’.”
“What!?” They all echoed while Malakai burst into maddening laughter.
“How can you be laughing right now? That could’ve been you,” Nate said horrified.
My cheeks burned. I felt stupid, but it was part of the truth. There was also the fact that he had no clear reason for abandoning the rest of the boys, and that he tried to soothe me as if they were already dead. Malakai had clearly said, he wouldknowif I was in trouble, which I wasn’t. And considering that, he wouldn’t have abandoned the rest of the team only because the fog had separated us, or he would’ve risked my trust and fury.
The real Malakai knew me better than that.
“That was… actually impressive,” Eve said dumbfounded.
“Did Eve Miller actually praise Ethalyn just now?” Ashley was as surprised as the rest of us.
“Impressive? She straight up shot her boyfriend because he called her another nickname!?” Nate was paler than normal, shaking his head at us. “If anything, she’s insane!”
“One less demon either way,” Caleb shrugged and Jaden elbowed him to shut up.
“I’m honored,” Malakai smirked devilishly at me.
“That I’d shoot you for trying new nicknames?” I muttered embarrassed.
“No,” he chuckled and stepped close enough to invade my personal space. “That you pay such attention to me that you fired your gun without hesitation,kitten.”
Flames licked my knuckles, and I gave him a defiant stare.
“Interesting,” Lionel’s voice interrupted. I turned and saw him hunched down by the fake’s body, inspecting it.
“What?” I asked.
Lionel rose to his feet and scratched his head as if he was about to solve a puzzle. His free hand stretched out towards Nate. “Can I borrow your gun?”
“Why?” Nate looked conflicted, but he held his gun out to him. Lionel grabbed it smoothly and turned. My eyes widened when I saw him aiming for Malakai and shot him instantly.
“Lionel!” I shouted accusingly.
“Guess I had that coming,” Malakai snarled through the hissing sound of the quartz biting into his shoulder.
“Can westop shooting each other!?” Nate’s voice was raised, slightly panicked.
“Show me the wound,” Lionel said flatly and gave the gun back to Nate, before stepping closer to us.
