Page 126 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Falling to the ground behind Elyon, Fallan lets out a shudder. Grabbing my cloak's hood, Elyon tugs me backward, wrapping his arms around my front, his chest plastered to my back.

Lingering his lips by my ear, his faint whisper caresses the side of my face.

"I know Fallan is not the reason you came here." Forcing his hand under my cloak, his fingers collide with the rich blood seeping from my wounds. "I know you think I didn't know," he hisses. "You think I had no idea what you were hiding in your belly, and now you have ripped the cancer straight from your womb, as if you can hide her from me."

"You were never going to let her live," I hiss.

"A power like that in my empire?" Elyon sneers. "Never."

Closing my eyes, I sense both Xavier and her energy, both of them nestled in the comforts of the cabin.

He's here.

He has our girl.

Taking one final look at the place that was supposed to be our home, I grab Elyon's forearm, using what energy I have left to keep him behind me with my Hold.

"You're right," I whisper. "Power, like we have, should not exist." Bracing myself, I look up toward the sky. Watching Xavier swing open the cabin door, his eyes go wide.

Holding our girl, his face is filled with pure shock.

"This is the end of our family's reign."

Taking a deep breath, I slip into Fallan's mind.

"Now."

I don't know what I expected it to feel like.

I'm unsure when the blade went through his heart, and straight into mine.

Growing up, I had always thought the line between life and death would be painful, a torture that I could not bear.

Hearing screams ensue around me, Elyon's hand drops his mask, and the first real sound of pain leaving his throat as his body goes rigid around me. Locking eyes with Xavier, I hold onto the visual of him, until the spotting in my vision has become unbearable.

Feeling a searing pain in my chest, my hand faintly feels the blade protruding through my chest before falling to my side. Like light switches are being turned off for every part of my body, my legs begin to shake as my body becomes useless.

Sweet, dark death.

They are safe.

Elyon gasps, his life slowly leaving him.

They are all safe.

Feeling a smile tug at my lips, a wave of peace comes over me.

This is the end.

But something tells me, it might also be the beginning.

Xavier

It was all a distraction.

Forest wanted me distracted by the battle.

I should have kept a closer eye on her.

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