Page 38 of Crimson Flames

“Let’s get you inside,” Cillian says, clearly noticing my anxiety.

“Thank you all for everything you have done for our daughter,” Boris says as we walk away.

The moment we get through the doors, a rubber band snaps within me. Cillian’s arms wrap around me and Boris follows suit. We have no tears left to shed, but the way we hold onto each other conveys as much sorrow as a waterfall. Cillian buries his face into my neck.

“Where do you want to go, Love?”

I swallow thickly. “My room please.”

They both stand and push me towards the elevator. Yes, Boris installed an elevator. When we get to my room, the sparkle of the candles start to fade back towards the house, but one light stays firm, burning brightly for all of us to see.

We all sit next to the window, huddled together like our comfort could heal the gaping wounds in our chests. When mybreathing begins to pick up and my chin wobbles, Cillian pinches it and turns my gaze to meet his dark eyes.

“Tell us what you’re thinking.”

I try to shake my head, but he holds me firmly. Pulling my chin away, I look down at my lap.

“I-I’m thinking I don’t know where to go or what to do. What am I supposed to feel now? It’s like I no longer know who I am, like a piece of me died with her.”

Cillian stiffens, but Boris takes my hand. He waits until I look up at him to speak, and when he does, the words wrap around my heart like a shield.

“You willgoto our arms, and you will close your eyes because this is the only place you need to be. You willfeelour hearts beating in sync with yours. We are with you in your pain, your loss, and your love.”

He picks up my hand and presses a soft kiss to it.

“Then, you willrememberwho you are. You are the woman born of crimson flames, and when you open your eyes, you are going to fight to burn down everyone who ever took something from you.”

My arms reach out and wrap around him to do exactly as he says. We all grow close, our chests coming together until I feel the beat of their hearts. The moment our breathing syncs, so does everything else.

I think of everything I fought for my entire life, every person I saved, and every mission I excelled at. Then, I think of everyone I have lost, from Enya to Aiden. The all consuming pain it caused and how each death altered the course of my life beyond my control.

That’s when I open my eyes. Boris is right. When Enya died, I rose from the ground covered in crimson with a promise to burn it all down. I am ready to fight now, and this time…they’re all going to see the wrath of the monster they forced me to be.

“Together?” I ask them both.

“Together,” they vow.

And just like that, we are ready to fight another war.

Chapter 15

It has only been a day since the memorial, and Nessa has just been cleared to start walking around. She is taking it slow, but her mental health is starting to improve now that she has gained a bit of mobility.

I am in my office when Alexi comes in, his three piece suit looking pressed to perfection.

“Hello, Son.”

“Father,” he says with a nod. “Kai informed us of something, and I think we should discuss it.”

As much as I hated the kid for stepping in front of me and Nessa, I appreciate him more for staying with her. People do not stand up to someone like me easily. I could see the wariness on his face and the concern for his life, but I never would have harmed him. I am hoping that he trusted that he was safe, allowing him the courage to speak to me the way he did.

At the end of the day, he was looking out for Nessa, and I will always respect that.

“What is it?” I gesture from him to the chair in front of me. He sits, his posture rigid, leading me to believe this is more serious than I realized.

“You know I am not one to draw out news, so please prepare yourself for what I am about to say.”

I lift a brow at him, waiting expectantly.

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