Page 138 of Offside Angel

I shouldn’t taunt him, but the longer he’s here with me, the more time there is for someone else to save Aiden.

“He’s dead because you killed him!” he spits, winding back and slapping me hard across the face.

Red explodes behind my eye. I can already feel it swelling. But even through the pain, I manage a smile. “Wanna know something? Killing him was even better than I imagined it would be.”

Dante roars and both hands close around my neck.

I knew it was coming, but I still claw at his hands and his arms. My mouth opens, trying to draw in air even though I know none will come.

I’d love to face the end with stoicism. I want to look into my brother’s eyes and let him know I’m not scared of death. Not anymore.

The day I ran from my childhood home, I was so terrified—of what was behind me, what was in front of me. My life had only ever been pain, and I thought that was all it would ever be.

Now, I’ve seen the beauty.

Zane and Aiden and the little world we shared belonged to me for longer than I deserved, albeit nowhere nearly as long as I would have kept them if I had a choice. I knew I wouldn’t get forever—but a taste of it was so, so beautiful.

As Dante leans over me, face red, lips pulled back in a snarl I can’t hear over the ringing in my ears and the dying beats of my heart, all I see is Aiden and Zane.

And a bright white light.

I’m ready to walk towards it—but then Dante turns towards it, too.

He squints into it, actually.

I don’t understand what’s happening until a dark shadow charges at him, shoving my brother off of me.

I’m still on the ground. Still staring up at the sky. Then, like something out of a dream, Zane appears over me.

I wonder if I’m dead and this is my afterlife—but if so, Zane looks awfully terrified for someone in heaven. His blue eyes are wider than the sky, his skin deathly pale.

Maybe I got sent down south. I suppose that’s not uncalled for.

“Mira!” His lips move around words I can barely hear. “Mira, are you okay? You have to get up!”

He’s here with me, but he needs to be getting Aiden. Someone needs to help Aiden.

“Aiden,” I wheeze. “Help Aiden.”

Zane barks something over his shoulder and the white light disappears. Car lights.

Daniel. Daniel picked Zane up from the airport.

Daniel is going to help Aiden.

Aiden will be safe.

Nothing else has mattered to me since the moment I saw Dante. It was the only reason I fought, the only reason I ran.

I’m so relieved that I forget this isn’t over until Dante screams from only a few feet away.

Zane turns, and I try to tell him to run. To save himself. But my throat is still raw, useless. I used whatever was left of my voice to warn them about Aiden. Now, it’s completely gone.

And Zane doesn’t run. He shields me.

The two men collide and roll into the grass.

Zane is bigger than Dante. Stronger. I’ve seen him hold his own on the ice and with Carson. He can take my brother, but I need to do something to make sure he wins.

---