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She reached for Marek’s hand and tangled her fingers with his. His was so much bigger than hers, those long fingers filled with unfathomable strength.
“I have to do this,” she said, her inner tranquility a steady rock against his stormy emotions. “They won’t stop, and they’ll keep hurting those around us.”
Like Leah. Like Betsy. Anyone she cared about was at risk. Unless she faced Drakos.
“I told you before, no one needs you to sacrifice yourself for them. Leah doesn’t want that. Betsy doesn’t either,” Marek said.
“It’s not a sacrifice. Drakos needs me alive to break the seal. They won’t kill me.”
“But what about afterwards?” Marek glowered. “You think Drakos will let you go? After your ancestors imprisoned him?”
Well, she hadn’t thought that far yet. “I mean, he won’t be free.” She turned to Andrea. “What’ll happen after I break the seal?”
“You’re right, he won’t be free, but with every piece broken, his magic in this world becomes stronger,” Andrea said. “The spell to break it won’t be easy. It’s powerful and ancient magic. If you survive it, you’ll be weakened, possibly slip into a coma like Betsy. There’s also no guarantee he’ll keep his word and free Betsy.”
See?Marek shot Olivia a triumphant look. She scowled at Andrea. “You’re not helping my case here.”
“I’m simply stating every possibility, but my personal belief is you should go.” Andrea’s steadfast expression didn’t waver at Marek’s displeased growl. “This is your destiny. You can’t escape it. Drakos will come after you for as long as you live, and you can’t outrun him. Not anymore. Will you live your life in hiding, running forever, or will you face him head-on?”
Olivia had already made her decision. “I will go. Marek?”
She didn’t need his approval, but she wanted his support. He was her soulmate. Her partner. The mating bond burned brilliantly with their love. She knew what she had to do, but she hated hurting him.
I cannot lose you,he said.
You won’t.Olivia stood and cupped his face. “I chose to mate us, I chose a future with you, and I will fight tooth and nail for that future. Trust me.”
Seconds passed as Marek processed a flurry of emotions. Doubt. Fear. Anger. Admiration. Hope. Love. Finally, his hand covered hers and he planted a tender kiss on her palm. She knew his answer before he spoke. “I believe you.”
She smiled. “Good. Now let’s make a plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hourslater,Marekwaitedat the edge of Vegas’ barrier, safe from the noon sun’s fatal rays, and watched Olivia getting into a car by herself. How the fuck did he end up here, watching his reason for existence leave him?
It’s because you love me,Olivia said telepathically.
Her loving smile loosened the knots in his chest. If he moved fast enough, he could still grab her and return to the barrier without dying. Suffer some third-degree burns that’d heal in no time. The pain would be worth it.
Don’t you dare. I’m doing this. We have a good plan.
Even the perfect plan can go wrong.
I’m trusting you to make sure it doesn’t.
And he wouldn’t. This was the biggest gamble of his life, and he couldn’t screw up. Both his and Olivia’s lives depended on it.
With Andrea and Sascha’s help, they had a good guess of where Dmitri planned to take Olivia. According to Andrea, Olivia had to break the seal at the specific Ruins where the original spell had been cast. Sascha had hacked into the Organization’s network and learned they’d been moving forces to Brazil, to an area of the Amazon rainforest with Ruins.
It might all be a hoax. Marek wouldn’t put it past Dmitri to trick them, so he would wait in Vegas until he could confirm Dmitri’s destination. Since there was no guarantee Dmitri might take Olivia to the Ruins right away, they’d risked placing an electronic tracker in Olivia, even though she couldn’t move it in her bloodstream like vampires.
Even if Dmitri discovered it, the worst they could do was take it out of her arm. Like Olivia had said, they wouldn’t kill her. Knowing her exact location was worth the small risk.
She’d also drank his blood minutes ago. If something hurt her, hopefully his blood would heal her and keep her alive. Andrea had also amplified her bracelet’s protection spell, so Olivia could summon its protection easier and faster if needed.
They’d done everything they could to ensure Olivia’s safety. Yet, Marek had to tightly leash his vampire lest it took over and dragged Olivia to an undisclosed basement somewhere.
You won’t keep me there for long.A teasing note in her voice.
