300 YEARS AGO…
“What are you doing out here?”
I recognized Cain’s voice behind me as I tended to some of the flowers in the garden. When I turned, I saw him leaning against the white, marble pillar that marked the entrance to the greenhouse.
“Kaiden is visiting with Ryuk, so I’ve been keeping busy.” I lifted the basket and stood, deciding it was time to go back inside. Knowing what Kaiden was, I could only assume that whatever curse she had bestowed upon him had also been given to the rest of them as well.
“And he left you here? Alone?”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, My Lord.”
I made it to the steps in the courtyard, ascending toward the doors, when a hand gripped my wrists and stopped me.
“These are dangerous times, My Lady. You shouldn’t be outside by yourself.”
I peered around him, surveying the grounds with at least ten guards visibly nearby. “Seems safe enough. And might I remind you, my safety is none of your concern. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I tried to pull my hand away, but his fingers only dug in further.
“Oh, but it is.” In one step, we stood face to face, his nose only inches from mine. “You see… I know that you know what we are. What we’ve become. Yet, I can’t seem to wrap my head around the reason a mortal would want to risk her life living with a monster. Do you not fear him? Fear what he could do?”
I finally yanked my hand free of him, almost stumbling back. “Kaiden,” I huffed, “is no monster.”
Chapter 30
MORRIGAN
Without any explanation, Mara darted toward the tree line with purpose, and Tristan stood still, shadows swirling in his eyes.
“Tristan?” I asked, quietly.
He didn’t answer at first. When the darkness dispersed from his eyes, he turned and marched back inside the castle.
“Tristan!” I yelled at his back, trying to keep up with him as we entered the throne room. “What promise, Tristan? Why— How are they even here?”
“The gate will open for anyone carrying the blood of a god,” he answered gruffly over hisshoulder.
Kaiden.
I mean… This is agoodthing, isn’t it? I was beginning to pant as I quickened my pace behind him. “We can get you out of here, you can lea?—”
“I can’t leave, Morrigan!” He spun around so quickly, it stole the breath from my lungs. His brows were pushed together in a tight crease. “They are here foryou, Morrigan. There is only one way that I can leave this place, and I can’t let you—” His eyes widened, and I recognized the distant glaze that passed over them. He was about to have another episode.
“Malakai!” I yelled, quickly wrapping my arms around Tristan as his entire body stiffened. “Okay, I’ve got you. Get down with me. I’m going to lay you down.”
He held onto his control just long enough for us to reach the floor, and I turned him on his side, facing me. Slowly, the markings began creeping along his face, more vines spreading throughout his neck like poisoned branches of darkness. I felt his panic as his hand gripped mine, squeezing it tight enough to hurt.
“I’ve got you, Tristan. It will pass just like before. You’re okay,” I tried assuring him. But this one was… It was different than before. The markings were starting to turn his skin red, like they were physically digging into him.
“I’m here!” Malakai heaved, sliding to a stop beside me on his knees as he removed his shirt and placed it under Tristan’s head. “I’m here, man. We’re both here.”
Tristan’s pants were becoming sharper and less frequent. I hadn’t really noticed it until I saw the faintest shade of blue on his lips.
“Tristan… Malakai, he’s… He can’t breathe.”
Malakai cursed and grabbed Tristan’s face. “Breathe, Tristan! You need tobreathe!”
His veins swelled along his muscles, limbs stiff and frozen straight.
“Oh, Gods…” I whispered. “What do I… What do we…”
