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“I know, you’re as unhinged as this guy,” I murmur, blindly pointing at Creed behind me.
“That guy got to kill that dick in Shadowmoor,” Brax remarks, his jaw ticking as his thick stone fingers ball into fists again. He remains over Sebastian, desperate to have his blood staining his hands.
“If you do it now, it won’t be permanent.”
“How would they know he was here?” Eldon interjects, making Brax nod eagerly. Clearly, neither of them are thinking straight.
“Because we know he’s with Erikel, just as his men are. How else would he know where to find us?” My heart races in my chest as a scream rings out in the distance. Sadness prickles its way to the surface and I know my magic is aware of another life gone.
Looking down at Sebastian, I push up to my feet. “He doesn’t deserve the possibility of my magic helping him.”
Zane grabs my hand, instantly dragging his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. “She’s right. We need to get the hell out of here.”
I wait with bated breath as Brax stares down at Sebastian squirming beneath him, blood splattered across his face and his nose completely out of place. With a heavy sigh, my gargoyle rises to his feet, returning his fists to flesh and bone once again before he stalks off.
Another yelp of pain rings out around us, hastening our pace. If I knew I could face these fuckers and not have to revive them, I would, without question, but I really don’t want to give them the satisfaction. Although, they do deserve to be knocked down, and I would relish in the wonder of being the one to do it.
I can’t help but peek back over my shoulder at Sebastian, only to find him rolling to his side. I scan the area, expecting the person who helped him avoid Creed’s magic to come to his aid, but he’s still all alone.
When you’re toxic to the world, and the time comes, the world will be toxic to you too.
Zane squeezes my hand at the same time Eldon laces his fingers with mine on the other side. I don’t know how they’re expecting me to run like this, but thankfully, it’s because Brax is heading into a small caved area. Slowing to a brisk walk, I falter at the opening to the slightly hidden structure among the trees and shrubbery.
“Doesn’t it feel a little too good to be true that there’s a cave here?” I ask, and Brax glances back at me with his brow cocked.
“I wasn’t aimlessly walking through the woods, Shadow. I was getting us here.”
Oh. Well. That makes sense then, I guess. I thought we were just blindly going with it like everyone else seemed to be.
I feel Creed right behind me, his lips by my ear. “Inside, Raven.”
Nodding, I follow Brax’s lead, and as we get deeper into the dark space, a flame appears in Eldon’s palm, glowing bright enough to light the way. When we reach the end, I glance back at the entrance. It’s still visible from here, barely, and with the way the shadows cascade around the stone walls, I don’t think you would even be able to see the glow of light from out there.
“Zane, can you try to cover our tracks while we’re in here as well?” Creed asks. “I’ll sit somewhere and focus on trying to hear anyone coming.”
“We’re not going to hear footsteps from inside here,” I state, and the smallest smile touches the corner of his lips as his onyx eyes shine.
“I’m going to be listening for thoughts, Raven. Not footsteps,” he clarifies, and I nod dumbly. Apparently, adjusting to academy life is easier than remembering that we can use magic when life and death aren’t on the line. I’m not used to thinking outside of the box like that, and that’s where I need to adjust.
Zane brings my hand to his lips, softly kissing my knuckles before he moves a little more toward the opening. Eldon presses his lips against my temple. “I’ll go and give him some light while he focuses, Little Bird.”
The pair of them mumble between themselves about how Zane is going to project his invisibility to cover us all while Creed gets comfortable against the rock wall that curves to my left.
Rubbing my lips together, I turn back to Brax to find him staring at me. I don’t know whether it’s because the light from Eldon’s flame is farther away, making it dimmer over here, or if his facial features have darkened as he takes me in.
His feet are planted shoulder-width apart, his neck muscles bunched, and his fists are clenched at his side. “I want to go back there and rip his fucking throat out,” he snaps, making me sigh.
“I know that, Brax. Believe me, I feel it too, but hear me when I say now isn’t the time.”
He takes a measured step toward me. “That doesn’t change the fury burning in my soul.”
“I’m sor—”
“I need him to know that you’re mine, that when I threatened his life, I meant it. I need him to know that I will protect you, no matter what, that you will find safety in me, in us, like you never found in them.”
Fuck.
My throat bobs, my breath lodged in my lungs.
