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I was definitely going to argue that last point but Emlyn spoke before I could.
"So he's not her mate?" he rumbled, sharp blue eyes pinned to Wynvail and his mouth in a thin line behind his beard.
"Iam,"Wynvail argued, a gleam of obsession returning to his eyes, giving them life. "My soul is bound to hers; she's mine."
"She's not,"Wane snarled, his teeth bared. His voice was raspy and quiet but there was no hiding that he wanted Wynvail dead. "You shouldn't exist."
I swallowed. I didn't know what to do with my emotions. I wanted to scream and cry and comfort them both at the same time. But that was impossible.
"Wane," I breathed, my voice shaking. "I can't—deal with this right now. Can we shout at Wynvail later? Please."
His gaze softened. He nodded, and my shoulders sagged, but dread tightened them again when he shot Wynvail a glare hot enough to melt glass.
"He's—still our brother," Harvey muttered, a furrow between his brows and—
"Harvey!" I blurted, throwing myself at my mate now he was back in demon form, hugging him fiercely tight. I needed the closeness, needed someone to hold me together, and he must have sensed that because he clutched me tight, a kiss feathering my cheek.
"Wynvail saved us in the Labyrinth," he told Wane. "He might have been made by Cronus, but that doesn't make him evil."
No, Wynvail was evil because of the things he'd done. But I was grateful Harvey was fighting the bastard's corner.
Wane's gaze shifted between us, and he sighed, frail shoulders slumping. "I guess it's not your fault you were made. But you're still Cronus's creature, and I know you answer to him."
"We all know that," Kai drawled. "And don't worry, Wane, I've got my eye on this asshole."
Wane smiled again. It seemed Kai had a talent for drawing out his smiles now. I cherished every one that softened his eyes and curved his cracked lips. My chest collapsed under the weight of pain. I thought I’d never see that smile again.
Harvey held me tighter, pressing a long kiss in the middle of my forehead.
"Let's get out of here," Emlyn rumbled, scanning each of us to ensure we weren’t hurt. "We need to find somewhere safe to stay."
"You can go back to the safehouse in Edinburgh," Wynvail cut in, his back straight and eyes straight forward. Like he was facing down a firing squad. "Cronus doesn't know where it is; he locked onto my magical signature to open the portal. It's shielded; you'll be safe there."
"You," I echoed, my heart whooshing in my ears. "You're not coming with us?"
His mouth curved into a mirthless smile, his eyes dull and empty. "I'm a monster and abomination, honey. I know when I'm not welcome."
"We'll talk about that later," Emlyn cut in, his expression hard. "You're family, and you’re coming with us either way."
Wynvail just shot him a wry smile, and for some reason it made a pit open in my stomach. "Then lead the way, Emlyn."
Wynvail was acting unbothered, but I didn't miss the deep breath he took before he stepped away from the cells, like he dreaded what came next. My eyes stabbed all over. I didn’t want to cry again.
"We'll figure it out," I told him, trying to catch his eye. But he walked ahead with Em, and his only reaction to my voice was his shoulders hunching.
"You can't trust him," Wane whispered, sticking close to my side as we hurried down the tunnel, Kai and Harvey at our backs.
"I know," I replied, but that didn't kill the part of me that wanted him to be good, wanted him to be worthy of trust. But did I only want him because our souls were linked? Because Cronus had fucked with my soul and made space for another mate? A sick consolation prize while he planned to devour Wane. I knew that was his next move; steal his shadows, use them in his grand plan, and then snuff out any hint that Wane had existed. By eating him like he'd eaten his godly sons.
I dared to clasp Wane's hand, squeezing tighter than I should have, and my eyes burned at the comfort that erupted through his soul.
"We'll be okay," I promised him.
I lied.
26
The light burned my eyes when we reached the house, drawing tears because apparently I hadn't cried enough. Despite the salt on my cheeks, I had Wane beside me, and my bonds were healed. My family was whole again.
