Page 78 of The Court of Truth

“How?”

He taps his skull, but Flora answers before his lips can part. “We were trying to join our magic. I remember you saying that Nora’s mind abilities dominated her magic. I had read that combining strengths could be a thing, but that… that was all her,” she admits, staring at my sister in disbelief, and my chest swells with a combination of surprise and awe.

“I’m tired,” my sister suddenly blurts, swaying on her feet, and Raiden catches her before she passes out.

My relief is short-lived as worry forms in my heart as I edge toward my sister, but Raiden shakes his head.

“She’s okay. She just used a lot of magic. We need to get her somewhere to recuperate,” he explains as Brody and Kryll appear among the remains.

“What did I miss?” Brody asks, scratching at his head, and Arlo snickers, patting him on the shoulder.

“Let’s get a sample of the frenzied vampire blood and get Nora somewhere to rest. We can discuss everything afterward,” he explains. Brody and Kryll glance at everyone with raised eyebrows but don’t push any further.

“The compound isn’t far if you want to avoid the castle,” Kryll offers, and my gut twists.

“He’s not expecting us,” I worry, gnawing on my bottom lip, and Raiden scoffs.

“He shouldn’t have to.” He stalks off without another word, confirming his intentions as I swipe a hand through my hair.

Finally taking stock of where we are, I look over the dead vampires splayed out across the street when I notice a familiar face lying among them. My heart stills, my breath trapped in my throat as I rush toward them, dropping to my knees as a sob parts my lips.

“Addi?” Kryll hollers, concern in his voice, but I can’t speak. I can’t… no.

“Raiden,” I rasp, my emotions bubbling to the surface as I force my gaze away from the lifeless body layered among the dead to the vampire who will know the pain I feel in my soul right now.

He stops, glancing back over his shoulder at me before he turns to face me slowly. Wordlessly, Kryll takes my sister from his arms, bundling her against his chest as Raiden takes slow, unsteady steps toward me.

“No,” he whispers, blinking at me before his eyes narrow on the sweet face between us.

His arms are around me in a second, his sob against my shoulder enough to rattle my own as reality takes hold of us.

I spy the open restaurant door a few feet away. Even in the moonlight, the crimson-stained handprints on the wooden door are burning bright.

She’s gone.

Taking a part of my heart with her.

She’s gone, and it’s all their fault.

Someone will pay for this.

Someone will pay for the death of Pearl, I swear it.

44

CASSIAN

Slouching in the worn leather chair at the desk in the compound’s office, I let my eyes fall shut as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Every day is getting worse.

Every day is getting harder.

Every day is getting unbearable.

It feels like an eternity since I last saw Addi, and every minute that adds to the distance is another minute I spend questioning my decision to be here for the pack. The animosity has lowered drastically, and they’re listening to what I have to say, but the menial shit that keeps me here versus where I want to be is dragging me down.

I just need one day, one fucking day that doesn’t come with unnecessary commotion so I can slip out for a few hours and see my family. My chosen family. The one I found when I was lost, and the one I need now more than ever.

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