Page 426 of Master of My Life

“I believe you are the right man for this task, Chase.”

Chase jumped and turned. Theo stood a few feet away, a solemn expression on his face. “Why

me?”

“Sabrina chose you when she was sixteen. Something in her spirit saw the man you would become

and the man she would need when the evil times came.”

“Or I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“You are the one who awakened her spirit. You are the one who waited for her. You are the one

who protected her, bonded with her, and loved her. Her spirit called to you, and you answered.”

Chase sighed and looked back out into the dark trees. “I’m humbled they believe in me so much.”

“That itself shows you are the right man for this task. A lesser man would be arrogant.”

Chase swallowed. “I’m afraid I won’t succeed.”

Theo stepped close and put both hands on his shoulders. “You can only do what is before you. If,

in the end, you have done your duty but failed, so be it. We will be satisfied.” He smiled. “But I do

not believe you will fail. Evil is powerful, but love . . . Love brings light to the darkest of nights.”

“My mom said something similar before I left.”

Theo chuckled. “She is a wise woman.”

Chase frowned, wondering if he would ever see her again. “All I can do . . .” Chase let out a long

exhale and returned to the tent. “I’ll do it.”

Richard smiled and hugged him hard. “Good.” He turned to Alex. “You and your men go retrieve

the Elders we need from the Gathering.” Alex gave a small bow and walked away. “Theo, would you

—”

“I will go to Sebastian and we will return with what you need.” He disappeared in a flash of

light.

“Go rest. It will be a long day tomorrow.”

Chase walked to his tent trying to process everything that had happened. He would become an

Elder. Him. A twenty-six-year-old Elder-Son was going to become an Elder. They trusted him enough

to give him the power to defeat Damian?

It was crazy.

And humbling.

And encouraging.

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