Page 115 of Destined to Fight

She nodded. It seemed weird to table a fight, but for now, she’d go with it.

“Can ye tell me what the hell happened? No one was around when we got there, ye were so weak ye nearly drained me when I gave ye my vein, and then ye just collapsed.”

“I think I stopped time.”

He stared at her for a moment, processing what she’d said.

When Kade didn’t say anything else, she tried to explain. “They were holding on to me, and Eric was, well, you saw him, and I felt your rage travel through me. I tried to call water, but apparently, I channeled time instead, and they suddenly froze. I could move but they just stood there like statues. I wriggled away and ran back out through the warehouse. When I pulled my power back in, I collapsed. Then you showed up, and I don’t remember much after that.”

Their link was still weak, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking completely. There was a hint of worry, though.

“What? What are you worried about?”

“If ye did stop time, Eric will go running straight to the Council to report ye. Are ye sure that’s what happened?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Maybe Ginna could help us figure it out? It could be the reason I’m so worn out.”

He thought for a moment. “Aye, that would explain it.”

“I think I’m going to get up and shower. What time is it? I’m starving.”

“It’s almost dinner time. Ye slept for about eighteen hours.”

That was longer than she’d thought. It was dark out, but she’d thought maybe it was just early morning.

“Is everyone around?”

“Aye, they’re all waiting to grill ye about yer actions.”

The thought actually gave her a headache. Letting people down was about the worst mistake in her book. “Fucking great.”

Kade stood then and held out his hand. “Come on, I’ll help ye into the shower.”

She took his hand, and he helped her up. Kelly took care to move slowly. Her body felt weak at best, but she knew a shower and a meal would help.

Kade supported her with a hand around her waist as she walked.

They stood in silence while the water heated up.

Try as she might to appear strong, Kelly gave in to her emotions and melted into Kade’s chest. She didn’t have any tears to cry, but she needed him in that moment. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she’d been nearly positive she would never see any of her friends again. Kade’s hatred was a consequence she’d been willing to suffer for the end result. She’d been so ready to throw it all away for Ginna’s safety, and now she was relieved to have everyone back.

What bothered her most, though, was the thought of going through all of this again and again as Arcane came for her in an attempt to take her. How many times could they do this before it became too much? Would Kade and Fabian grow tired of the games? Would someone finally succeed in taking her and torture her in an attempt to sway her bonding? Would Ginna give her resignation out of exasperation?

Kelly felt like a ticking time bomb with multiple detonation sequences. She was already sick and tired of it all, and she didn’t doubt for a second that the rest of them felt the same.

Kade held her tight as she skimmed through her thoughts and fears one by one.

“When are ye going to tell me what’s going on in there?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Aye, I do. Ye would think I’d enjoy the silence, but I’ve grown rather fond of having ye in my head, and yer absence is jarring. Yer my new normal.”

She took a shaky breath. “I’m just wondering when enough will be enough. I can’t see myself going on like this for ten years, or longer depending on how things go. How can I expect everyone else to deal with this shit for that long?”

He chuckled. “A decade is nothing to us, lass. Sure, it can be rough in the moment, but when ye have lifetimes to live, ten years is the blink of an eye. I’d say as long as ye refrain from midnight rendezvous with the enemy, we’ll all be around as long as ye will have us.”

“Is that what everyone is calling it? A midnight rendezvous?”

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