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Chapter 23
Malik
My eyes scrunch together as I press the tips of my fingers into my temple, attempting and failing to ease the pressure that is still there. It’s never good when someone’s been in my head. It hurts like a damn bitch afterward, putting the word migraine to shame. I know this shit isn’t going anywhere anytime soon either, so that only irritates me more.
Blinking my eyes open, they remain pinched at the corners as I glance over my shoulder to watch Talon and Alexi give orders to the men we brought with us. Their attendance wasn’t necessary, but a precaution we felt better taking. Usually, it’s me that gives the debrief, but there’s no chance I’m participating with my head screaming like this.
I turn away again, looking over the mountain range and the calmness that this place lures you in with. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I let my thoughts consume me. On top of someone getting access into my head, my magical weakness, my mind drifts to my other weakness.
Harmonia.
Being caught off guard by the Redvellion getting in my head is only worsened by the fact that we were ambushed earlier today. They managed to get through my ward, and subsequently, they managed to hurt the person that means more to me than anything else in the world.
My soulmate.
That mark is on her skin because I gave them the opportunity to fucking do it, and that pisses me off to no end. My nose scrunches as my emotions build inside of me, making my chest squeeze and my heart race as I accept the fact that I’m a worthless piece of shit.
Harmonia deserves someone who can protect her, without fail, and offer her the world. Yet I just allowed that all to—
“Hey, asshole, get the fuck out of your head.” Talon’s voice is firm as he squeezes my shoulder, moving around to stand in front of me. Alexi moves to my other side, telling me the team has disbursed, leaving the three of us here alone, but all I can do is grunt in response.
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I don’t lift my gaze, not wanting to see the emotions in their eyes when I feel this irritated with myself.
“Hey, stop. I mean it, Malik,” Talon pushes, nudging my shoulder with his fist lightly as he stands toe to toe with me, not letting me get away with anything. “We have something to live for, Mal, now more than ever. Don’t let the darkness seep into your body again. It’s not worth it.”
My hands clench at my sides, my lips twisting with annoyance at the fact that I know what he’s saying is true, I just don’t want to believe it. The darkness has a way of seeping into my bones whether I like it or not, but in the same breath, if anyone understands, it’s these two right here.
Heaving a sigh, I run my fingers through my hair as I finally lift my head to look him square in the face. “My head is fucked with them getting to me,” I admit, crossing my gaze to Alexi, who stands quietly to my left. “The fact that the Redvellions also managed to break through my ward earlier is what ultimately led to all of this, and that’s weighing heavy on my shoulders, man.”
Alexi’s brows furrow. It’s not often I’m open and blunt with what’s going on in my mind, opting to keep it trapped behind myriad walls, but with Harmonia involved now, I have to do whatever it takes to protect her. Even if that’s from me.
“That wasn't your fucking fault, Malik,” Alexi grunts, glaring at me like I just spat in his face or something. I know he means what he says, but that doesn’t mean the voice in my head believes him.
“It fucking feels like it,” I grumble in response, looking away again, but Alexi doesn’t let me get away with it, bringing his hand to my shoulder and turning me away from Talon to be chest to chest with him now.
“I don’t doubt that, Malik. We’re all feeling guilty in one way or another. Am I right, Talon?” He doesn’t look away from me as he addresses my other brother, eyebrows raised as he gives me a pointed stare.
“One hundred percent.” Talon is as certain in his words as Alexi is and I can’t deny that it eases a little of the weight resting on my mind.
“It’s clear the Redvellions have some deeper shit going on right now and it’s frustrating as Hell, but we need to remain focused and one step ahead.” I nod in understanding at his words as they resonate through me, making me stand a little taller and square my shoulders defensively. “We can’t do either of those things if we stand here feeling like they have the upper hand and are winning. That’s never the case, ever, so we can’t fall into that mindset now.”
He’s right. He’s so fucking right it’s embarrassing. Not that I’ll tell him that fact though, his ego definitely doesn’t need the boost.
“Now, are we good?” His thumb presses into my chest where his hand is still clamped on my shoulder.
I nod, meeting his eyes as I reply, “Yeah.”
Talon calls out at the same time as I do, solidifying that we’re all on the same page.
With the acknowledgment from both of us, Alexi nods, taking a step back as he holds his hand out to reveal a singed piece of paper in his hand. “Good, because our request has been accepted.”
With that, he snaps his fingers and the ground shifts beneath my feet. The motion does nothing to help the pounding in my skull as we move, but it’s only moments later that our new location appears before my very eyes.
The familiar tones of reds, oranges, and browns don’t offer a sense of calmness like most familiarities do, but I don’t think that will ever be the case.
Not when it comes to Hell.
Every part of Hell that I’ve ever seen is as dreary as the last. It feels like walking in a rocky void or something. There are barren cliffs and coves randomly scattered across the ground, making you feel like a tiny ant among the landscape.
