Page 82 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"Let me hold you until you both have fallen fast asleep."

Not arguing with him, I double check the locked door from afar, resting in the crook of his arm, his arm wrapping around me, keeping me on my side.

Kissing the back of my neck, the warmth radiating around the both of us is the most comfort I have ever felt.

"I love you," he whispers, kissing the back of my neck. "I love you more than anything," he starts, grazing his hand over my stomach. "Almost anything."

Turning my head toward him, I plant a kiss on his lips, pressing my forehead to his.

"Your love isn't my greatest gift," I whisper. "And now, I carry your love with me always." I smile, Lily's energy finally coming down.

As a complete family, we all settle into the comforting embrace of sleep, each one of us having the first restful sleep we have experienced in months.

Borrowed time and stolen moments.

These are what I choose to hold onto.

Chapter twenty-five

Kaiden

Rotting flesh and razor-sharp talons all surround us.

Sniffing the ground on which we walk on, the Shifters surround us all in a swarm, just waiting to rip into all of us the first chance they get.

Glaring at those he used to consider family, Mason impatiently taps his foot, peering down the largest Shifter in the group.

"Why have you come home, Mason Veron?" the Shifter asks, getting in the man's face.

"That's one way to welcome me back," he scoffs, looking around the space. "Tell me, how long do you plan on hiding out here, hoping Xavier is able to keep you all safe for the next twenty years?" Mason questions, the creature's eyes creasing with frustration.

Having dragged Aaron and me here moments ago, Bekah keeps her hand near her blade, ready to use it at any given moment.

"Your human friends are no friends to us," the Shifter hisses. "We did our job providing the Apparatus's mother the information she needed. Our work is complete."

"On the contrary," Mason snaps. "Our work here is far from over. Sanctum has more resources than we could have ever imagined. We are approaching a war that we will all have to take part in, you all included. How the hell do any of you expect to go back to your true form with Forest Evermoore shackled to the other side-"

"Forest Evermoore has chosen her path. It is not any of our right to interfere with how this all plays out. You've heard the stories of the Prophet as well. You know the way this all will need to end-"

"No one is harming my sister," I yell, all of the Shifter's heads turning my way.

"She is not your blood, boy-"

"No need to remind me," I snap, taking a step toward the creatures. "As long as I am alive, no one is harming Forest. Blood or not, she is my fucking sister."

Looking me up and down, the Shifter speaking to Mason clicks their tongue.

"His mind has been tainted by the need to protect his sister-"

"I'm aware," Mason hisses. "There's always more moving parts than what lingers on the surface."

Snapping my attention to Mason, I get a bit closer.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I question, getting in Mason's face.

"It means you are no longer neutral in the situation. Your sister is an ally we no longer have. Facing the truth at some point-"

"What truth, Mason?" I bark, grabbing the man's collar.

---