Page 33 of Tangle of Lust and Lethargy

“Justice.” I whispered his name. My heart raced as if trying to leap out of my chest and find its other half. The thought of losing him, of a world without his steadying presence, sent a jolt of pure anguish through me.

I clenched my fists, a fierce determination rising within me like a phoenix from the ashes. My voice trembled with emotion as I made a vow to the universe itself. “I won’t let you die, Justice. Not now, not ever.”

My love for him burned like a supernova in my chest, bright and all-consuming. It fueled my resolve, giving me the strength to face the challenges ahead. With every fiber of my being, I knew I would move heaven and earth, challenge fate itself if necessary, to keep him safe.

Our bond, forged in the fires of adversity and tempered by unwavering trust, was unbreakable. And as the pieces of my memory continued to fall into place, one truth remained constant. Justice was my anchor, my home, and I would fight with every ounce of my being to protect the love we shared.

My hand trembling, I connected it to the moment I chose to save Justice over gaining more power for myself. The line blazed into existence, brighter than the last.

A pattern was emerging. I spotted a node showing a future event—myself standing against a great darkness, drawing strength from unseen bonds. On a hunch, I connected it to a past moment when my friends and I had stood united against Maci in the Unseelie realm. Garrick, Justice, and I had saved Maggie, breaking the spell that turned her against us.

The line between them shimmered into being, a bridge across time.

All the while, I heard sand trickling in the giant hourglass behind me. The soft hiss was a constant reminder of the stakes, of the limited time I had to prove the wisdom of my choice.

As I worked, I realized the puzzle was testing not only my knowledge of events but also my understanding of the connections between people, the consequences of actions across time, and the enduring power of love and loyalty.

I saw a node showing Damon making a sacrifice for Zara. I connected it to a moment when I had stood by Justice despite Damon’s disapproval of me choosing a vampire to be my mate.

A vampire had murdered my mother, and I had been taught vampires were our sworn enemies until I met Justice. He had not only saved me, but numerous times, he had saved Damon, even my father, when he was held prisoner. The line that formed seemed to strengthen nearby connections as well, as if the shared theme of sacrifice for love resonated across multiple events.

Then, I noticed a subtle node, easy to overlook. It showed a small kindness I’d once done for a stranger. On a whim, I connected it to a node showing the same stranger years later, saving one of my friends from danger. The line that formed sent ripples through the entire constellation, illuminating paths I hadn’t seen.

Some connections were harder to make. I saw a node showing a moment of bitter argument between Justice and me when I didn’t trust him and accused him of being like the vampire who’d murdered my mother. It hurt to look at, but I forced myself to consider it.

After some thought, I connected it to a node that showed us stronger together, facing a common enemy. The line that formed was thin at first but grew stronger, teaching me that even difficult moments could lead to growth and strength.

As more connections formed, I started seeing the bigger picture. A choice made out of love here led to unexpected strength there. A moment of loyalty in one time created a ripple of positive change in another. The web of connections grew more complex but also more beautiful, a shining testament to the power of love and loyalty across time.

But the puzzle was far from solved. Many nodes remained unconnected, and the central piece was still dark. I felt time slipping away with each grain of sand. I had to dig deeper, understand more, if I was to unlock the vault and claim the hourglass.

I turned my focus to the next set of nodes, each a piece of the grand tapestry of time and love I was trying to weave together.

Certain combinations unlocked memories or revelations.

Connecting a node showing my brother teaching me about love to one showing a future challenge illuminated a path forward.

Linking a moment of Justice’s pain to an instance of sacrifice I’d made for him strengthened our bond across multiple nodes.

Connecting nodes of strangers making choices of love over power sent ripples through the entire constellation, unlocking new possibilities.

But one wrong move—trying to force a connection that prioritized power over love, for instance—would make sections of the constellation dim and reset.

With each correct connection, the central node pulsed brighter. When I completed the constellation, I knew that final piece would fall into place, unlocking the vault.

But the sand was running low, and the puzzle’s complexity was daunting. I had to rely not only on my knowledge, but on my heart, on everything I understood about love, loyalty, and the bonds between people.

This was the true test. Not merely of my mind but of my choice, my values, and my understanding of what really mattered.

The question was, would I figure it out in time?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

My hands shook as I reached for the next piece of the puzzle, acutely aware of the sand trickling through the hourglass. Each grain sent a jolt of panic through my body. Time was running out, and I still had so much to piece together.

The memories came in a disorienting rush, fragments of my life flashing before my eyes. I saw myself training not only with my father and brother but also with my mother. It moved to me training with my team, trying to prove myself to them and myself as I took on the role of leader. The faces of my team swam before me, loyal, brave, counting on me to guide them. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus through the emotional onslaught.

As the puzzle neared completion, one final piece shimmered into existence. My heart clenched as Brody’s face materialized, his familiar features etched with determination and sorrow I’d never forget.

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