Page 224 of Commanding Scythe and Sky

“We are not defined by our darkest moments.” Freya’s eyes snapped to me. I held them and prayed to a god I sure as hell didn’t believe in for the right words—the wisdom to drag us both out of this. “We do what we must to protect what’s ours. Sometimes it makes us question our sanity. But we get through it. We do what we have to for our people. No goddamn regrets.”

Freya’s head tilted in that predatory assessment, her jaw set.

“And yet,” August said, lifting haunted emerald eyes to meet mine, “I don’t know what will be left of me when I find her.”

“Jesus Christ,” Freya snapped, and without warning, she snatched August’s arm with a speed I’d never seen her use. The two of them misted into shadow. If I’d blinked, I would’ve missed it.

As it was, I was left staring at a frozen, wide-eyed Alec.

Carr sidled up next to me. “We tracking her down?”

I stood there a beat, glancing at Orion, who only shrugged. Vesper was already gone. I couldn’t help but smile.

“V’s on it. Grab some fuckin’ grub.”

I might not have much experience with soul groups, but from what I’d read, those ties were crucial to anchoring us from one life to the next. If I came back around without Carr, I’d be pissed. With him? Well. The world had better pray the bastard could anchor me if someone stood between me and Freya.

Even now.

Even in our anger, I knew I’d burn this place down looking for her. Couldn’t blame August for doing the same.

Alec just stood there, staring into nothing. I squeezed his shoulder as we passed by.

“Think she can get through to him?” Tessa whispered. I was about to answer before I realized she wasn’t talking to me. I glanced back to find Blaz with an arm around her shoulders.

When the hell did that happen?

“For all our sake, I pray he listens.”

Freya

August blinked when I released him from the realm between, glancing around the vast space before scowling at me.

“What the hell, Freya?”

“I think we gave them plenty of ammo. Now, follow me.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, now shut up and trust me.”

“What is this place?”

“Aren loves few things more than a good live performance. Lana and… well, my parents loved it too, but I’m sure they built this for him.” And goddamn, did I miss the shit out of all of them.

Our steps disappeared into the carpet of the amphitheater. Row after row of seats—hundreds of them—descended toward a full-blown orchestra pit tucked against a raised stage. Full-scale, with curtains and everything.

My attention landed on the sheets tossed over the instruments. There were few things my brother took to faster than being a Soul, but music was one of them. Put an instrument in August’s hands and odds were he could play it. Or he would in a week.

A few months ago, I realized I hadn’t seen him play since he ascended. Alec mentioned them all singing around Christmas, but Christ, that was ages ago.

“What are we doing here, Bug? I’ve got places to be.”

I snorted. Fuck, it had been a minute since I’d heard that endearment. “No, you don’t. You’re in no state of mind to go out there right now.”

“War doesn’t give a shit about my mental health, Freya. It rages regardless.”

“Let somebody else fight for you for a second, asshat.”