Page 115

“For years, he planned his revenge, gained a following in the slums, where all those who didn’t fit gathered. When the time came, they attacked the Ice Fire Court and killed the entire royal family.”

“So he’s after Dawn to finish the job?” I ask, sickened to even say it aloud.

“Yes.”

Fury burns through me toward Dawn’s father and the Gamemaster, for an incident that has snowballed into a catastrophe for us. I don’t regret taking Dawn under my wing for a second; I’d do it again in a heartbeat. But if I had known… fuck! What would I have done?

Yet, my heart shatters for Dawn.

Refocusing on the man whose eyes fade faster, I ask, “Where’s the Gamemaster now?”

“Almost here. He wasn’t far behind me,” he answers easily. “He intends to kill Dawn.”

She cries out, and I tense, my muscles flexing. I’ll murder him before he gets the chance to even lay eyes on her.

“How many men is he bringing? Weapons? Is the king part of his scheme?”

His eyes fade quicker now, almost black. Fuck.

“King doesn’t know, but…” He starts convulsing, and in a flash, all the life behind his gaze dies. His head slumps forward, and a force shoves back against my arm, sending me reeling backward. My skull mark races up my arm and secures itself over my heart.

Breathless, I catch myself. Darkness vanishes in a blink, replaced by sunlight pouring into the cabin once more.

For a few seconds, no one moves, and I’m still processing what we discovered.

Dawn’s at my side suddenly, and I embrace her as she shakes against me.

“I’m so sorry, Dawn.”

She holds on, her arms around my middle, and tilts her head back. Her violet eyes glisten as tears slide free from the corners, and I reach up to wipe them away.

“I-I don’t even know why I’m crying when I don’t remember any of it,” she murmurs.

“It’s because you’ve had everything ripped from you by your half brother, and I’m so fucking furious for you.”

Lian is at our side and embraces her from behind, his mouth at her ear, whispering, “You are the strongest person I know.”

Corvin’s there too, kissing her cheek. “Let the world fall apart. We’ll hold you together.”

I lift her chin with my thumb. “You may think this changes everything, but it doesn’t impact how much you mean to all of us.”

Her lips part, but she says nothing, and there’s a sob in her throat. She clutches onto me, and her fingers tremble. “I’m scared I’m going to lose you all today. And I’m drowning in emotions and fear, but I need to say that I love all three of you.” She stares at all of us, and my breath chokes in my chest. “I know I’m being sentimental, and maybe it’s happening too fast, but I’ll regret it if something happens and I never told you.”

The three of us crowd in closer, Lian and Corvin whispering how much they love her too. And I cup her cheeks, wiping away stray tears. More than anything, I long to take her into me, to keep her safe so nothing can ever touch her again. She’s been through so much and deserves happiness, not the threat of death.

“The Gamemaster…” Her chin trembles. “He’s my half brother. How could he do that to his family?” She presses a hand to her mouth.

I drag her closer, kissing the top of her head.

Then I lift my attention to Corvin and Lian. Something deadly flickers behind their gazes.

Both stand there in their monster forms, and today we become one. A team fighting on the same side. I’m livid, lava ripping me to shreds with anger toward the Gamemaster.

“Let’s do this,” Corvin commands, his voice heavy. He marches across the room and glances out the window.

“Time to finish this,” Lian says, heaving for breath, and I can’t agree more.

“Looks like we have company,” Corvin announces.