Page 32 of Lethal Souls

“It’s fine, brother.” He tips his chin when I look at him, his jaw setting. “I know you want to save her right now, but there’s no way out of this one. Not even for us.”

My eyes grow hotter. I stare at him so long he becomes a blur. I blink, focusing on my mate again who watches me with utter despair.

“How noble,” Callista tinkers.

I lower the gun, hands shaking, frustration settling in my veins. “If any harm comes to her, I’ll kill you all. That is my word.”

“I’m sure you’ll try.” Callista sighs. “Right. The ship is at Blackwater Port. The sooner you leave, the better. Your mate will be in Council Castle with us while you fulfill your end of the bargain. Once you do what needs to be done, we’ll set her free.”

My breathing grows louder and my anger blinds me completely. All I can see is red.

I want to wrap my hand around her throat and strangle her. But how will that save Willow?

If I wake Selah, Hassha and Korah say we’re all dead. But if I don’t go, Willow dies. There is no winning here. Both options lead to fatality.

I cut my eyes to Vassilis, who grips Willow tighter by the throat and smirks at me, knowing it’ll piss me off. That fucking bitch.

“Stop holding her like that!”

Callista looks sideways at her brother. “Release her throat, Vassilis.”

Vassilis grimaces but follows instruction. Just like a fucking pet.

“Let’s not make this hard, Caspian. Get to Inferno Isle, wake Selah with however much blood of yours it requires, and come back to your mate,” Callista goes on.

“It’s okay, Caz,” Willow whispers. I’ll be okay. Another tear slips down her cheek. My heart feels like it’s splintering in my chest.

I haven’t felt an ache as intense as this since she left Vakeeli the first time to return to Earth.

This is that moment all over again, only she’s not going anywhere safe. She’s walking right into the mouth of a beast. I don’t know what The Council will do to her or even Killian for that matter.

“How do I know she’ll be safe?” I ask, trying to mask the defeat in my voice.

“You won’t.” Vassilis backs away with Willow as if he’s the one running the show—as if he can’t wait to torment her.

I stare into his eyes, thinking of all the ways I can kill him until Killian clears his throat.

“I’ve got her, brother,” Killian says. “Don’t you worry.”

Fuck. I haven’t felt at a loss like this since my mother died.

“Let’s go,” Callista orders, taking a step back.

Arie guides Killian to the center of the room as he remains in those invisible restraints. His feet are a few inches above the floor as he grunts, still trying to break himself loose.

Vassilis holds on to Willow’s arm with a vise grip. I want to chop off his hand, gouge out his eyes, cut off his fucking head. I want to murder that son of a bitch in every way imaginable, and I will. I mean that.

“Everything will be okay,” Willow calls as Vassilis wrangles her backward.

“I’m so sorry, Willow. I’ll get you out of there as soon as possible. I promise.”

She gives me a weak smile, a tear sliding down her cheek. “I love you so much,” she breathes.

I want to reach for her, beg them to at least let me hold her again.

Let me hug her.

Kiss her.

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