Page 54 of Frosted Torment

Nevaeh looked up at him, horrified. She shook her head fiercely, her lips pursed in a silent plea for him to stop and not to make the situation any worse.

“Where was he hiding her?” I demanded, shaking with rage.

“We don’t know, honey,” Nevaeh said with helplessness in her tone.

“Help me do this, Baz,”I begged him, pushing back the bile rising in my throat.

With a low, warning growl, Baz made it clear I needed space. He sat next to me, and I leaned into him for support.

“Turn the dagger around, Noa. I won’t leave you,”he promised.

Sasha’s wolf let out a torturous cry, and my body stiffened as I felt it pulsate to my core. Ena offered her hand to Nevaeh so they could both stand.

Nevaeh turned to Dawson and whispered, “Babe, why don’t you check the perimeter and prepare the pyre? That’s best, considering.”

Dawson gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Of course, my love,” he agreed. Then he looked down at me with regret. “I’m sorry for this, Noa.”

I nodded, tears falling onto Sasha. I laid my head on her, and as I pressed my cheek against my grandmother’s chest, her heartbeat grew weak beneath my ear. Time was running out for me to end her torture.

The weight of the dagger in my palm grew heavier with each passing moment. I knew what needed to be done, but couldI bring myself to kill my grandmother? Sasha’s eyes fluttered open, clouded with pain but still filled with understanding.

Another weak squeeze from her gripped my hand. It was a soft plea for release that shattered what little remained of my resolve. I hesitated while Nevaeh, Ena, and Lex stood with Father O’Neil, who prayed quietly behind us.

Their voices were a steady murmur in the background of my turbulent thoughts. I could feel Sasha’s weakening pulse beneath my fingers, her breaths growing shallow and labored.

Every fiber of my being screamed for me to end her suffering. With trembling fingers, I squeezed Sasha’s hand one last time and swept stray hairs away from her now-aged face. Her skin was cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the fire burning in her eyes.

“Please forgive me,” I said, patting her shoulders lightly.

My heart pounded in my ears, and I gritted my teeth, begging the merciless universe to help me. There was no answer, only the sound of crushing silence. I wiped each of my cheeks and sniffed. Then, as if someone else were in control of my body, I raised the dagger over her heart, my fingers struggling to keep hold of it.

A strangled sob caught in my throat as I plunged the blade forward, piercing through flesh and bone. Falling onto my grandmother’s lifeless body, I pleaded for her forgiveness. Then, consumed by guilt, I tore out the dagger and hurled it across the field.

A blinding light erupted around us. It seared my vision and blasted me into the cold, damp grass. My body writhed in agony as I struggled to regain my senses. Through blurry eyes, I saw Father O’Neil darting across the clearing in my direction.

“Noa,” he gasped, crouching next to me. “Are you injured?”

I groaned and tried to sit up, but my body refused to cooperate. Instead, I pressed my hand to my head and let the ground consume me.

“The secrets.” O’Neil took his thumb and, in a gentle sweeping motion, drew the sign of the cross on my forehead. “You have them all now.”

“Oh, thank god,” said Lex, as he hovered over me with fear in his eyes. “I thought that was it for you, too.”

“It was her body taking in the secrets,” O’Neil remarked. “The most powerful reaction we’ve seen.”

“She’s the last one,” confirmed Lex as he stood looking around the field.

I forced myself to turn to my side, ignoring their exchange. The lifeless body of my grandmother and the image of her sweet face were imprinted in my mind. She was gone, and I had killed her. Dead for the second time. Shivering, I rolled onto my back again.

Lex reached a hand down to help me sit up, but I shook my head. O’Neil stood and looked around for any threats, but there were none. At least, not yet.

“Vincent is a dead man,” I finally muttered. “I’m killing that prick. Vallen and Maros too. The nerve of angels thinking they can fuck with humans like this.” O’Neil cleared his throat, and I looked up at him, squinting with one eye closed. “Sorry, Father.”

He nodded with a polite smile. “You’re forgiven, child, but there’s still a lot for us to figure out.”

“Plot away, but that’s the endgame. They’re all dead,” I reiterated with a little more force this time.

I glanced to my left and saw Nevaeh and Ena absorbed in aconversation. I was confident it was about what took place and how to bury Sasha’s body. I would let them sort it out and I’d help if they needed me. Baz and Sasha’s wolf bounded toward me.

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