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“What power?” I grumble, not liking their pointed stares being directed at me now. “My power?” I demand incredulously.
“Yes, your power will give her the best chance in case anything does happen, which is seeming more and more likely after Titus’ attempt at the end of her second. She’ll need every advantage she can get to fend them off until we can all get to her, and your power would give her the best offensive chance,” Kyros says warily, already expecting what my reaction will be.
I stalk to the back window, my leather boots slapping against the hardwood floor, echoing in the silent house. Despite my insistence that Osias tell Olivia and her alone, I can’t help but look out the large window directly facing the gazebo, watching my mate intently as she and her father stride down the pathway.
As soon as they step beneath the marble arches, they disappear from view, Osias clearly having cast an illusion of invisibility over the structure.
My teeth grind together, I can’t see her, so I don’t know she’s safe and secure. Kyros’ words float back through my mind. My need for Olivia to be safe wars with my hatred of my own powers.
I didn’t want Olivia to ever use my power, to ever know that she’s capable of making cities crumble, reduced to a pile of rubble. To disintegrate a living being in a second flat and have to live with that for the rest of her existence, no matter what the reason.
But could I truly send my mate into her final trial with these threats currently looming over her and not give her every chance at making it back to us? My chest tightens at the thought that this could be the only factor between her survival and her capture.
Since we came into existence, I’ve struggled with the reality of my powers, with the ramifications of my actions. Rage boils up inside me for the first time in I’m not sure how long. Olivia’s usual proximity calms the raging fire within me and keeps me grounded. I pull in a deep breath to calm my mind from spinning out uncontrollably.
My gut twists as the cool chill of fear creeps over my skin, replacing the anger as my vision dims, my muscles seizing as images float through my mind. I glance around the eerie clearing, snuffed of light. The only illumination is the crackling light surrounded by dark shadows spreading around my feet. Titus’ arms clamp around Olivia from behind, roughly shoving her into a shimmering blue portal.
I inhale sharply at the vivid image, not exactly a vision of prophecy, more like a warning from the fates of what may come. The world slowly comes back into focus around me, and my brows crease at the new form of vision. The scene played clearly through my mind, but its edges were fuzzy and not fully formed, lacking the usual sound. Instinctively, I know this was the fates’ warning that on the current path, this would occur. But there are other factors at play right now that could change the course of events.
I pull in a ragged breath, attempting to calm my pulse pounding in my ears. My mind is made up with the foggy vision, my stomach clenching as I replay the scene, again and again, letting the images bolster my resolve. If putting aside my distress caused by my powers will help keep Liv safe, then I’ll do it. Hell, I would destroy the world for that woman, and watch it burn with her at my side.
My attention moves out to the garden at the first sign of movement. The illusion drops suddenly to reveal Liv and Osias stepping out from the gazebo. My brows lower into a glower at her pale face. Her sea-green eyes, usually so full of life and hope, are clouded over from whatever truth Osias revealed.
I turn back to the hall, needing to do this now, to give her something to take her mind off whatever life-altering news Osias just shared with her.
I stalk off towards the door, hoping to meet her before they come back through the front door, knowing my brothers won’t let it go if they see her like this.
“I’ll do it,” I grumble as I stomp past them, not bothering to gauge their reactions.
“What?” Kyros sputters behind me, clearly in shock by my sudden change of heart. Especially after seeing me agonize over the destructive power for countless years.
I don’t bother with a response, as I swing open the door, I would put all of that aside for her, for my mate, who has helped me more than she could possibly ever know.
* * *
“Wouldn’tit just be easier for everyone if we put those power blocking bracelets on them? Make sure they can’t use them again.” Olivia asks, her brows creased with concern as we walk past the extra guardians stationed in front of the corridor leading to the council’s former offices. A second barrier in case Anastasia and Helene try their tricks again.
I hate seeing that look on her face. I wish she didn’t have to deal with any of this at all. My fingers itch to smooth out those lines and take all of her worries away. Her face slowly regains its color, the dazed look retreating at the normalcy of walking down the familiar hallways.
If I could destroy all of her problems here and now, I would. I’ve thought about it more than a few times, but I’m not sure if I could come back from that. The alluring dark side of my powers calling to me, because although it would be for the greater good, fear creeps up my spine that it would make me irredeemable in her eyes. Using my powers in defense is one thing, but going out and hunting our foes down …
I clear my throat and wipe those thoughts from my mind, focusing back on her question.
“It would be easier, but unfortunately for us, they’re protected by the law. We can’t put them on until they’ve been found guilty at their trial,” I say gruffly, clenching my fists at my side, wishing again I could do more to keep my mate safe.
“I guess that makes sense.” She lets loose a resigned sigh as I push open the door to the small training room. And she passes through, “If there wasn’t a law, then anyone could just go around slapping power blocking cuffs on anyone they wish.”
I make a noise of agreement and follow her through, letting the door close behind me.
“The dark gods don’t abide by the same rules as us though, it’s one of the things that separate us,” I grumble and throw down some of the training mats. I don’t give her time to respond, though, we’ve got to get this training started, to give both of our minds something else to focus on. “There are a few things you need to know about my power before we get started.” I gesture to the mat, and both of us take a seat facing one another.
She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the information to come, her eyes open, holding no look of judgment whatsoever. My fingers itch to pull her into my lap, but I hold back. This is for her safety.
“Learning to use my power comes with a cost,” I grumble, and her forehead creases with concern, her hand reaching out to grasp my own. “I get visions on where and how to use my power in order to set fates’ plans into motion for the greater good.”
Her lips part in astonishment, but she doesn’t say a word, clearly not wanting me to stop opening up about my power. I’ve never told her anything aside from what she’d seen with the demons.
“I think I know what you mean,” she says reluctantly, pausing to gauge my reaction before she continues. I look at her suspiciously.
