Page 48 of A Broken Ember

“Everything!” he snarled, jerking away from me. That single action burned me, hurting more than anything I could remember.

“Then tell me, Eleos!” I demanded, exasperated. His eyes narrowed, his lips turning into a sneer.

“I am the monster your father told you I am. I am everything he said but worse. I am the prince of darkness, the hunter of weakness. I promise you, following me is a mistake. I will ruin you.” Lies and false vows.

“I don’t believe you. You are Eleos,” I whispered, my brow furrowing.

“Stop, Stas, just stop! Listen to me! You’re trying to cast me in the light of some hero. I’m not the hero. I am the villain. I am the subject of death. I am Claeg!” His arms exploded out to the side as he roared in my face.

“No!” I protested weakly, grasping the fabric of his tunic in my palms for support. “You listen!” I croaked back. “I know who you are! I have seen the Ruptor you keep bound underneath your skin. You think that scares me? You think death scares me? Do you think I am a coward?” Even as I demanded answers from him, my heart feared his response.

My eyes begged to fall shut, but I kept them open, leaning on Claeg more and more with each passing moment. “Damn it, Stas! Shift! We don’t have time to do this now!” Claeg demanded, and I blearily looked up at him. When had my head fallen upon his chest? The look Claeg gave me was one of utter terror. His face was pale, his eyes wide with horror. A tear fell from his eyes, landing on my forehead where he cradled me in his lap. There were hands on me, more hands than just Claeg’s who was clutching me tightly. So tightly. I smiled. I didn’t ever want to leave his arms. I was vaguely aware of multiple voices yelling at me, but their words were lost to me.

“Take me to the Circulus,” I answered, my voice fragile. I closed my eyes. Just as consciousness left me, I heard a chanting plea emerge from my lover’s mouth.

Don’t leave me, he said, over and over. I wanted to promise him I wouldn’t, but even I could tell my death was near.

Chapter 51: Claeg

The fool laid in my arms, my heart pounding so hard I felt it everywhere. He hadn't shifted, and now it was too late. Consciousness had left him. Only magic could save him.

“Take him back to the De Vita!” Rohit trembled above us, shaking his head in disbelief.

“There is nobody left there who can heal him. Odon is dead,” Ercan said softly, sitting back on his heels.

I screamed in frustration. “Help him!” I shouted helplessly at my father. He growled, ripping Stas’ tunic into shreds and binding it around his shoulder—a last-ditch attempt to close up the gaping hole more. His other wounds were already smothered in thick salves. Whatever he had done seemed to have stopped the blood flow, but how long could he last like this? Panic swelled in my belly. I hated myself vehemently for the lack of knowledge, the weakness.

After a few minutes, Father fell back onto his heels and let out a shaky breath.

“He needs Thyia. We have to go back to De Vita,” Rohit said, pacing in small circles beside us. He ran his hands through his blood-red hair.

“Thyia can't do anything for him that I haven't with the fixation spell and salves,” my father replied, studying me closely, observing the way I clung to Anastasius like he was my lifeline. I didn't even care. The Ruptor screamed for me to protect his Circle.

Rohit hissed, muscles tensing, but he curtly nodded. “What will they do?” Rohit asked, not a hint of fear in his voice—none of the fear that I felt. What if they didn’t see that he was the key to peace, the ultimate power and insisted I complete his Circle?

“Clotho will hate you. She won’t admit when she needs to change,” I started with a shrug. “But she isn’t Janardan. Thana will be more reasonable.” I hope, I added mentally, but he didn’t need to hear my doubts. “I have information she wants,” I added quietly. Rohit sneered.

“You aren’t a traitor,” Ercan finally said, turning toward me. His violet eyes were soft. “You are healing, growing. They can, too. They just need our help. I know it.” I gave him an unconvincing smile. “Come. We have a witch to find.” He held out his hand, and I glanced at the scars on his palms. What kind of draconis could survive such torment and continue to smile, laugh, and live? It took someone of incredible strength to get back up after falling, and my father had gotten up over and over. He knew better than me with this. So I took his hand.

Ercan's magic brought us to the entrance of the Janardan’s Heart stronghold. The door was open, Sivert barring the entrance. My heart fell upon seeing my ex-lover. Would he listen to me after our unpleasant separation? He startled upon us materializing before him before quickly taking on a defensive pose. Right. Thana must not have told him the truth of my broken Circles.

I growled in frustration. There wasn't time for this. That wasn't unexpected, though. In fact, nothing seemed to have changed while I was gone. Only I had changed. I held Anastasius in my arms, not caring who saw us. I wouldn't let Rohit or even Ercan take him from me. He was mine. We just needed the witch. And they had to be here. De Vita hadn’t found the witch in the Strip. My gut told me there was a reason. If the witch wasn’t here, Anastasius would die.

I prayed my theory was right.

“I demand to speak with Thana!” I called out, stepping in front of Ercan and Rohit. Their presence wouldn't be received well, but I hoped everyone’s focus would be on me and my prince until he was stable. Sivert blinked at me in shock. “The Janardan!” I urged, my heart racing.

He took a step forward, drawing his blade. “You aren't welcome here, Ruptor,” he sneered.

“You think you know the full story? You think you know the Janardan more than I, her Ruptor? You know nothing,” I spat, my voice low and deadly. “Now bring me to our Janardan and I will forgive this misunderstanding.” I jerked my head at him, indicating to open the door. His narrowed eyes wandered to Rohit and Ercan. He motioned toward the men behind me.

“You may come, but they may not,” he said with a look of disgust.

“They aren't leaving the De Vita prince,” I said, and to reiterate my point Rohit snarled, stepping forward. My respect for him surged. It took a strong Circle to stand up to an enemy on their own land. At least we were on the same side regarding this—both of us would do anything to protect the prince.

“They come with me,” I stated simply. Rohit shifted, placing a hand on his weapon. Sivert noted the movement and tensed.

“You think I'm a fool? I'm not escorting two traitors and two De Vita,” he spat, “to my Janardan.” His hand was firmly on the pommel of his sword now. Ercan whispered something to Rohit, likely telling him to stand down, as the doors opened, revealing Clotho.

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