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“Shhh,” I say, pulling her close. “You’re not alone, Lark.”
Lark’s shoulders shake, and I look over her head at the other guys. It hurts so much to see her in so much pain.
Arrow’s eyes lift, and all of us guys look upwards. The sky is clear, whatever storm was here has passed.
“She died because of me,” Lark says, her words half buried against my chest.
“What do you mean?” I ask, tucking back a loose strand of hair.
She looks up at me. “The ring.” She pulls it out of her pocket, holding it for us to see. “I had it the day my sister died.”
My eyes narrow. “You didn’t do anything. A ring can’t kill someone.”
“That’s quite a coincidence then,” she says, staring at it in her hand.
“There has to be more to it,” Arrow says. “You were delivered to your mom when you were a baby with that ring. That means the ring is the link to your birth parents.”
“Then I should just wear it,” she says. “Draw them to me. Find out what this ring means and why.”
I clench my jaw. “It’s risky though, what if–”
Brecken cuts me off. “What if we get hurt in the process? Is that what you were going to say?”
“No, asshat, what if Lark does?”
“I won’t,” she says. “I’m not just a woman. I’m magic. This ring makes me magic. You saw it today– when I wore I didn’t just move across the stage. I flew.”
“It dangerous though,” I say. “Gaia never said anything about taking you to find your birth parents. She would have if–”
Lark cuts me off. “And where is your precious Gaia now? You told me she hasn’t shown up in months. She sent you here to protect me and all that’s happened is my mother has died. She didn’t protect me from that.”
“Don’t put this on Gaia,” Arrow warns. “She must have a reason for staying away. Maybe she has more important things to deal with.”
“Maybe she trusted us to take care of you,” Vaughn says. “Well, I don’t care about protection right now. I just want
answers.” Lark gives us a look of defiance. “Look at the sky–there is no storm. This was no accident. This was murder.”
“What are you going to do about it?” I ask. “Because whatever you choose, we are here, by your side.”
“No,” Lark says. “Not when we don’t know the risk.” “Don’t you see?” Vaughn asks. “You are worth the risk.”
Lark shakes her head. “I don’t want anyone else dead because of me. And I don’t know what will happen when I put this ring on and leave it there.”
I lock eyes with her. “We don’t either. But let’s find the answers together.”
Tears stream across Lark’s face. “All for one?” I nod. “One for all.”
Lark holds out her hand and slips the ring on her finger. Our eyes focus on her finger, waiting.
Then, the lightning strikes.
24
Lark
Though my heart is broken into a thousand pieces, right now, I can’t think about that. Right now, all I can
think about is the flash of lightning above us that pierces through the blue sky, hitting the pavement so close to us we can feel the heat.
“No, no, no. I knew this would happen.” I shake my head looking at the men who have so honorably stood by my side.
But it’s too much. They need to leave while they still can.
I couldn’t save my sister. I didn’t save my mother. But I can save them.
“Listen to me, you have to go,” I say, not mincing my words.
They don’t listen. They shake their head. “No. You’re coming with us,” Brecken says. There’s no question in his voice. It is a command.
And before I can decide on my own, the men move–fast–in a swirl of magic and light. They dip their heads and spread their arms and then they have shifted before my very eyes.
Gone are the chiseled jaws and rugged brawn of the men I gave my virginity to. Instead, above me are five hawks in all their majestic glory.
And instead of flying away without me, two of them wrap their claws around my wrists and lift me from the ground.
I look around wildly, wondering if anyone is watching this, but no one is here. They would think they were dreaming anyway. I have no choice but to give in because instead of leaving me behind, they fly toward the sky
“You guys,” I shout. “Let me...” Go? Down? What would be the appropriate response right now?
I realize with a start, as my feet hover above the ground, that I don’t want them to let me go. I want to stay with them for as long as they’ll let me.
These are the hawks that have been sitting outside my window. The hawks I’ve fallen in love with. The hawks who hold me in their hearts and under their wings. But now the world seems to pause, letting me look at them more closely.
