My gaze slid to Kilian and a tear slipped free, sliding down my cheek. I wished the link still existed between us so I could show him exactly how I felt. So I could tell him to stop talking. To leave me here and get the others out.
The darkness stirred itself inside of me, and I realized with shocking clarity that I did not need the link. I had invaded Primus’ mind as easily as stepping from one room to the other. It had happened through pure, instinctual muscle memory.
I reached for Kilian now, allowing the shadows to fill me once more, commanding it to my new will. And when I caressed the bounds of his mind with gentle, scraping fingers, he let me in. His eyes widened a fraction before he schooled his expression into perfect neutrality, so Primus would not know what was happening.
I need you to leave. Get the others out, I told him.
Not without you. Even mentally, I could hear the insolence, the rebellion, in his voice.
I gave him a supplicating look.I know what I’m doing. Trust me.
Lirah…
You asked for my trust before. Now it’s your turn.
There was a moment of hesitation, and then his gaze dipped to the ground. I took it as silent agreement.
When it’s over, take the others and go. I love you.
His eyes gleamed fiercely.I will come back for you. I willalwaysfind you. Even when you no longer remember me. My heart has always belonged to you, and I will spend the rest of eternity reminding you of that. If I have to burn the world to save you, I will.
The tears were flowing freely now. I held onto the connection for as long as I could, but as the first tendril of Primus’ oily power grazed the walls of my mind, I let it go.
EPILOGUE
KILIAN
The agony of the acid rain eating at my flesh was nothing compared to the moment Lirah’s expression turned blank, her eyes glassing over as Primus dug his fingers into her temple.
She asked me to trust her, but how could I, when I knew what the monster before me was capable of? The things Primus had done… the lives he had ruined… It was enough to have me ripping at my bonds once more, terror my driving force.
The chains tightened, digging into my skin, and my power lay just out of reach. A fragmented, pathetic pit of nothing. What use was I if I let this happen, if I could not protect her? If I remained on my knees and watched history repeat itself? But it was already too late. I had already failed. Just as I had centuries ago. It always fucking ended like this.
Primus trailed his hand down Lirah’s cheek, and I wanted to burn the skin off each finger that touched her. He took on a satisfied look, lips curling into smug arrogance.
“Aerie, my dearest.” He held his hand out to her, and… she took it.
My stomach dropped, sinking as my worst nightmares unfolded.
Lirah turned her gaze on us. There was no recognition in her eyes, no affection when they cast over me. Only cold emptiness. Lirah had been angry and snarky, vicious and cutting, soft andsorrowful, and, on the rare occasion, happy. But never had I seen her so… reserved. The shift was unrecognizable.
Her voice was lofty when she asked, “Who are they, my love?”
“No one of concern.” Primus flicked his fingers and the chains binding us fell to the ground. “You’re free to go. Don’t even think about doing anything stupid. You will end up in the exact same position, and I guarantee you I will not display any form of mercy a second time around.”
I flexed my fingers, rising swiftly, thunder rumbling somewhere in the distance. Or maybe that was the blood pounding in my ears. I barely felt the chafing of my skin, my focus solely on Lirah. She wasn’t even looking my way. She was staring at Primus, the way she’d once looked at me.
Syrina sobbed quietly beside me, struggling to stand, and I reached for her, helping her up. My friends… I should never have brought them here. I needed to get Syrina out. I needed to stay here and fight for Lirah. I was too fucking weak to do any of it.
“Can you walk?” I asked Syrina.
She shook her head and my chest caved.
Primus grinned like he had won a prize. “You had best return home, Azrael. There is nothing left for you here.” He was goading me, and it was working.
Anger raged through me, worse than a forest fire. This was the type of fury that destroyed entire worlds. I took a step toward him, but Lirah, standing just behind Primus, caught my eye. Her charm – the one imbued with protective upper magic – dangled from her fingers and she slipped it quickly into her pocket, out of sight.
Her gaze flicked up, met mine. And she gave me the smallest shake of her head. A movement so brief, I blinked, questioning if I’d actually seen it.
