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I scrape my palm over my jaw. The coldness that slithered in the room felt off to me, but not in a way that made my throat burn. It just felt clammy on my skin.
Kye blows out a long breath, looking at me. “You, too?”
“No,” I say as my eyes shift back to where the portal was.
“Maybe you won’t be affected from the realm as quickly, if at all, since you hold part of Whiro’s power,” Kye thinks out loud.
I grunt in thought. “True. Either way, we will have to work fast to make sure you guys stay safe.”
Cora claps while jumping in the middle of our little group, darting her eyes animatedly to each of us. “Some poisonous air is not going to stop us from helping, right?” Her smile stretches as she spins, clasping her hands on her hips and looking pointedly at me. “When do we implement the next part of the plan?”
She means, when do we travel to this other realm and attempt to take down the God of Darkness, who has never been touched, in an act of war. I have already gathered the weapons and stored them in my room until we are ready.
Four days have passed since Emma was here, telling us everything she knows. Each day that goes by brings us closer to the full moon, putting her and the world in danger.
I look to Fynn and then out the window of the tower we are in, knowing Fynn will need more than just a short night of sleep. He will need to rest most of the day as well so he can portal back out when all is done.
“Fynn needs to rest. The soonest can be at nightfall tomorrow, but even that could be rushing it.” I twist to meet Fynn’s gaze and he nods in understanding. This is the time he needs to truly save his energy. No more practicing if we are doing this.
Fynn turns to pat Kye on the shoulder, then squeezes. “Thanks for the push. It was like I could feel the weight of your power and how strong it is.” He steps towards Cora and drapes an arm over her shoulders as he smirks to Kye. “Let me know if you want me to return the favor.” He winks at Kye, who stares at him blankly before shaking his head and muttering a curse under his breath.
“How will we let Emma know?” Cora asks, pushing Fynn’s slumped body up a little while walking towards the doorway.
“Leave that task up to me.” I keep it simple and leave it at that because I have no idea what my little demon is up to today. I would assume she is still resting after overdoing herself with the level of power she used for all those Corrupted. She may be the sweetest poison to me, but to the Corrupted, she is their antidote.
I haven’t even told the others that she was out all last night, saving one life at a time. That is something they need to hear from her when she’s ready, because right now, that information won’t make a difference in our plan.
I feel Kye standing beside me before I notice his bulky frame in my periphery. “Do you think that Whiro knows what we’re up to?” He keeps his eyes staring straight ahead out the window as his question hangs in the air.
I sigh, letting my head drop forward. “I’m not sure. I fucking hope not, but it’s now or never.” I remain silent for a moment before peering at him. “Promise me something?” I ask.
He blows out a steady breath. “Depends,” Kye says hesitantly, dragging his amber eyes to meet mine.
I chew the inside of my lip for a moment before I lay it out for him. “I might not make it back.” His brows immediately crash together. “If it’s me he wants, I will do fucking anything to protect her, and that means if I have to stay behind and fight Whiro alone, I will.”
I release a heavy sigh. “We don’t know what to expect there and the plan might work how we wish it. But the unknown is a sneaky bastard. So, if shit gets out of hand, drag her back here with Fynn and Cora. I don’t care if she screams, begs, or tries to claw your skin off. I need to know she will be safe.”
The silence that follows is deafening. He brings one of his meaty palms up to his face and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Fuck, you know I will lay my life down for her. But knowing how important you are to her, that means I will do the same for you.”
“That’s very honorable of you, but this is a choice I’m making for you. Please give me this reassurance so I can rest a little easier.”
Kye roughly nods. “And if shit goes south, I know you will do the same.”
“You have my word.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Draven
We all parted ways to rest for the remainder of the day, but sleep has yet to make an appearance. The hole in my wall stares back at me as I lay on my bed. Taunting me with my failures. Bringing back memories of a time I didn’t recognize myself. The lows I faced when Emma vanished were restrained…because there was still a sliver of hope of her being alive.
But when my father died…
When he died, I became the beast I always knew lurked within if pushed.
Sure, I may embody and look like a “Dark Prince,” as some call me, but that’s not the true reason why. And it’s a part of my past I’m not proud of and don’t ever talk about because, for years, I never smiled. I spilled more blood than I’m capable of giving back. I searched for reasons to fight, to feel my fist slam into the bone of a person until I heard that satisfying crack. I was possessed by grief. There was no hope. My father was dead.
The one that I remember the most was when a male laid a hand on a child for knocking his drink over and spilling it. Everything became a blur for me. The crowd faded as I dragged him back to the alley and landed blows on him until he reached an inch of his life. A small cry had cut through the haze of red I was caught in, looking up to find the small child huddled near the back door of the tavern.
