Greer takes my hand, guiding me to a Gate that’s been opened on the beach.
Home.
I glance back at Wilder, who is still watching me. This isn’t home for either of us.
Chapter 30
Hazel
Darkness is not a vacant chasm.It is a presence in itself, waiting to be woken. Always stirring. When I loosen my hold, it opens its mouth and bares its teeth. Desperate to sink them into my throat and consume me—one bite at a time.
My brother does not understand what it is to wrangle my fingers around the throat of the beast that swells in my veins. He draws a ribbon of light in the air, and his people fall at his feet in a fit of giggles.
They preen over his magnificence. The sheer beauty of what he can create, as if it is comforting.
Darkness consumes, but the light burns.
Malachi watches me over the flicker of his flame in his palm. Until his fingers clasp tight, and he snuffs it out. While his subjects see his smile, the veil is thin tonight, revealing nothing but ambition in his eyes.
I search the threads between us, seeking the one that once bound us together. It becomes duller—stretches farther every day. His growing magic is tugging him in too many directions.He’s consuming too much, but he won’t listen when I warn him of the consequences.
Malachi stands, and I draw my shadows inward. They slither into my fingers, drifting into my veins. I hadn’t realized quite how far they were reaching. They’ve grown unruly lately.
My brother fears their growing presence, but it’s his fault with all this magic stirring.
Malachi excuses himself from his subjects and heads in my direction. With every step, the thrum between my temples gets louder. Until he stops before me, and it’s nearly unbearable. The magic radiating off him is so rich that there is no drinking it all down.
“The half-human lived,” I say simply, turning to leave the party with my brother.
Selia doesn’t bother following us. She avoids my presence, and I avoid hers. She doesn’t belong here. Hopefully, Malachi will tire of her soon and come to that realization.
“Of course she lived.” Malachi spins one of his gaudy golden rings around his finger. “Wilder made sure of it.”
“Is that what this was then? A test to let her go and see what he would do?” I pinch my shoulders back as my neck begins to throb. “You let her leave simply to see if he would follow? What if he didn’t?”
“He won’t risk anything interfering with his plan. Not after what I did to his queen.” Malachi’s smile is malicious.
The circles under his eyes darken every day. Casting shadows where my brother has always been only light.
“You need to be careful with the girl, brother,” I warn him.
“Shouldn’t I say the same to you?” He pauses in the hallway.
While we’re surrounded by his guards, there is no one who can hear through the shell of magic he uses to encircle us.
“Callum told me about your run-in with Elorie.” Malachi’s tone is harsh. “You were told to keep your distance.”
“I was curious.” I play coy.
Malachi’s eyes narrow. The urge for him to reach out and wring my neck with a halo of light is strong, but he knows I’d simply drink it down.
“Her magic can’t be trusted.” I wave a hand, and shadows dance around my fingers. “It is not what you think it is.”
“Then what is it?”
My lips purse, and I can still taste her magic. Like a drop of snow on the tip of my tongue. So distinct yet barely there. I can imagine it, and yet there are no words to define what it is.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head.
