Page 16 of Crown of Envy

“This is yours,” she whispered. “Trust in your team.”

I nodded, feeling her words press against my chest like a physical force. My heart raced as adrenaline and uncertainty coursed through my veins. When did I become a leader? The question echoed in my mind, but as I looked at my teammates, their expressions full of determination and trust, I realized she was right. I wasn’t alone. My team would back me up like I would back them up.

The vial in my pocket seemed to grow heavier, a tangible reminder of the journey ahead. I felt its cool surface through the fabric, pulsing with potential.

We escorted Chelby and Jonas outside, the cool evening air nipping at our skin. Zeus grazed on the lawn, his magnificent form bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. His tail swished lazily, creating a soft whooshing sound in the stillness.

Chelby drew a deep breath. With a fluid motion, she removed her cloak, letting it fall to the ground. The air around her shimmered like heat rising from hot pavement. In the blink of an eye, where Chelby once stood, a beautiful purple dragon towered over us.

My jaw dropped, and I heard gasps from my teammates. The dragon’s scales gleamed, their color perfectly matching the clouds hovering over the setting sun. The last rays of daylight danced across her form, creating an otherworldly spectacle.

Jonas, seemingly unfazed by the transformation, hopped up onto Zeus. The pegasus whinnied softly, pawing at the ground with anticipation. His elegant wings unfurled, the feathers catching the fading light.

I opened my mouth to say goodbye, but before I could utter a word, they were moving. The dragon’s powerful wings created gusts of wind that whipped our hair and clothes. Zeus leaped into the air, his wings beating in perfect rhythm.

As quickly as they came, the dragon, the fae, and the pegasus disappeared into the dusk, leaving only a swirl of disturbed leaves and a sense of awe.

CHAPTER TEN

Dawn came faster than I expected, the pale light creeping through my window and jolting me from a restless sleep. My body ached from tossing and turning all night, thinking of our impending journey.

On this mission, we didn’t have to travel through a portal. A small mercy, I thought, remembering the disorienting sensation of our last interdimensional trip. Maggie was still recovering from being possessed, her absence a palpable void in our team. Even if Garrick had been chosen, I knew he wouldn’t have left Maggie’s side. The thought of their devotion brought a bittersweet pang to my chest.

With trembling fingers, I checked my gear one last time. My trusted bow felt cool and familiar in my hands, a stark contrast to the nervous heat radiating from my palms. I slung my quiver over my shoulder, the arrows rattling softly.

I zipped open my backpack, the sound unnaturally loud in the quiet morning. Inside, I had carefully packed the mysterious shimmering vial. Next to it lay the compass and the mirror. Each item seemed to pulse with latent energy. I added a change of clothes, a water bottle that sloshed reassuringly, a tightly rolled blanket, and a first aid kit that I prayed we wouldn’t need.

At my side, I felt the reassuring weight of a sheathed dagger.

I glimpsed my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the determined young woman staring back at me. My face was pale, dark circles under my eyes betraying my sleepless night. I hadn’t bothered with makeup, save for a swipe of lip gloss to soothe my dry, nervous lips. My blonde hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, practical and unadorned.

This was definitely one of my hunter uniforms, I mused, running my hands over the familiar fabric. Each piece of clothing was chosen for functionality rather than style.

With a deep breath that did little to calm my racing heart, I shrugged on a thick leather jacket. The material creaked as I moved, already warming to my body heat. I hoisted my quiver and backpack over my shoulders.

I was as ready as I could be, I told myself, trying to ignore the knot of fear in my stomach. Hopefully, I didn’t get turned into stone. The thought froze my blood, but I squared my shoulders, pushing the fear aside. Whatever lay ahead, I would face it head-on.

I opened the door on softly creaking hinges to find Justice standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway. The rich aroma of coffee wafted from the steaming cup in his hand, making my mouth water instantly. My heart skipped a beat at his thoughtful gesture.

I flashed him a warm smile, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. My hand instinctively moved to my chest. “A man after my own heart,” I murmured.

“It’s early, and I thought you could use a cup.” Justice’s deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

I took in his appearance. His hair, usually tied back, now flowed freely over his shoulders like a dark river, framing his face. Dark circles still lingered under his eyes, but his color was a little better. The sight brought a mix of relief and worry churning in my stomach.

He must have drunk some blood, I realized. Yet the nagging question persisted, making my chest tighten. How long could he keep this up? We didn’t have long to find the Crown of Envy to restore his health. What if we were too late? The thought made my breath catch in my throat.

As if reading my thoughts, Justice’s cool fingers brushed my skin as he ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek. The gentle touch sent tingles across my face, momentarily calming my racing mind.

“You need to stop worrying,” he murmured. “I told you, I’m a vampire and can last longer than humans.”

I leaned into his touch, savoring the contact. “I know, but I love you and can’t lose you.” My voice choked on the words, emotion constricting my throat. The mere thought of going through life without him made my eyes sting.

In one swift motion, Justice set the coffee cup on a nearby table, the liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. Before I could react, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his body. The sudden movement knocked the breath from my lungs, and my heart hammered.

His dark, intense eyes locked onto mine for a fleeting moment. In them, I saw a swirling mix of desire, desperation, and something deeper—a fierce, primal need that made my knees weak.

Then his lips crashed onto mine with an urgency that stole what little breath I had left. This wasn’t a gentle kiss. It was raw, passionate, almost frantic. His mouth moved against mine with a fervor that spoke of barely contained hunger, not only for blood but for life itself.

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