His voice was steady. Too steady.
I gave a faint, humourless smile. “You don’t stop loving someone just because they can be a jerk.” My throat tightened. “It just… changes shape.”
Sy watched me carefully, weighing something I couldn’t see.
“I told you once you choose the path and I will walk it with you,” he said quietly. “I meant that.”
He stepped closer despite the water lapping at him.
“I am with you, little one. Wherever this leads.”
For a second, the word wherever should have frightened me.
Instead, it steadied me.
“Thank you Sy.”
Chapter 29
Seph
I woke before dawn and pulled myself out of bed. Outside the door, I felt Sy’s still, alert presence waiting for me.
I dressed quickly, covering my body from head to toe. I pulled on a hoodie to cover my braided hair.
It was still dark when I stepped outside. Hidden paths had been carved in the side of the mountain, branching off in all directions. There were no lights, just the flickers of moonlight illuminating the rocks.
The mountains were silent, save for the wind brushing against the rock. I could see down to the valley from where I stood.
For half a second I thought I saw a person moving along the valley floor. A faint shimmer of light flickered around them — and then they were gone.
The valley went still again, as if nothing had ever been there.
I wondered if I had imagined it.
My mind was playing tricks on me.
Sy moved to my side and silently led me toward Elliot’s office. From the path I could see the lights were already on.
I ducked down in the shadows.
“Remember the plan,” I muttered to him.
He grunted in agreement and removed his shirt. He shifted instantly into his dragon form. For a moment, those serpentine eyes watched me closely, like he was waiting for me to change my mind.
I wouldn’t. Then he took a breath and lifted into the sky, disappearing into the dark.
As soon as I heard the click of Elliot’s door, I took a deep breath and ran down toward the garages.
Elliot might have cameras everywhere, but I was counting on him being preoccupied today. At this time of night, the compound was silent.
I kept hold of the card Dev had palmed from the guards when we visited my father and slipped it through the reader. The door clicked open.
Inside the large garage, several vehicles sat waiting.
I spotted the nicest one immediately — a large Ford pickup I knew belonged to Elliot.
I climbed into the back.
