Page 136 of Fated

The rest of the trip, I listened to stories about the four of them. It was lighthearted, and full of inside jokes and shared memories that gave me a deeper glimpse into their friendship. But the second the charger alerted us that we were approaching the destination, the mood shifted completely. The guys double-checked their gear in silence, their expressions now serious.

As the charger hovered over the outpost, Xanth touched acontrol on the dash, and the front window transformed into a large screen displaying the area below.

Xanth zoomed in, scanning the scene.

“Looks like Calyx’s bike is the only vehicle here, aside from a few stationed personnel trucks,” Xanth confirmed.

Ash leaned over the screen, pointing. “Land in that clearing behind the cabin.”

The charger began its descent, the hum of its engines the only sound in the air. As soon as it touched the ground, Ash, Xanth, and Greyson exchanged looks.

“We get in and grab Calyx as quickly as possible before Agidius realizes we’re here and springs whatever trap he has waiting,” Ash ordered, his voice calm but firm.

They all nodded and unbuckled their seat belts.

I reached out, grabbing Ash’s arm before he stood. “Be careful.”

Ash leaned in and kissed my lips. “You won’t even know I’m gone.”

I tried to will my nerves into submission as Xanth pressed a button on the console, and the door slid open to reveal the scorching desert air outside.

I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat.

“Only you can open this door now,” Ash instructed, his tone serious. “Watch the screen, and don’t open it for anyone other than one of us.”

“Ok.” I nodded.

“Move out,” was the last thing I heard Ash say before the door slid shut behind them.

Silence filled the charger as I was left by myself to wait for their return. My legs couldn’t keep still, my foot tapping nervously against the floor, my gaze fixed on the screen, waitingfor any sign of Ash or the others. Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity.

My heart stuttered on catching sight of Ash standing outside the charger, his eyes lingering on the vehicle. Slowly, he reached out, pressing his hand against the door. I sprang to my feet, my pulse quickening as I slapped the button, the door sliding open with a soft hiss.

“What’s happening? Did you find Calyx?”

He tilted his head, his brows furrowing slightly. “He’s inside. I need you to come with me.”

We took a few steps away from the charger when Ash just stopped walking.

“Ash?” I called out. Something didn’t feel right.

In the blink of an eye, he was behind me, cold metal pressed against the side of my skull.

I froze, my blood running cold as my heart pounded violently.

“You’re not Ash,” I whispered, terror clawing at my throat.

There was no time to think, only react. I reached deep inside myself, pulling hard on the bond linking Ash and me.“Ash! Ash, help!”I screamed into the bond.

Mere seconds later, there was an earth-shattering blast as the side of the cabin exploded outward, leaving a gaping hole in its wake.

My heart leapt to see the real Ash sprinting from the wreckage. He came to a halt about twenty feet in front of us, his face twisted into fury and panic.

“What the fuck is this?” Ash roared, his gaze locked on the imposter with a lethal intensity. “Calyx,” he growled.

As soon as the name left his lips, a dozen rippers materialized from somewhere behind the cabin, surrounding the imposterand me. My heart raced, and I tried to keep my breathing steady, but fear was pulsing through my veins like wildfire.

“Calyx, let Areya go.” Ash’s voice dripped with raw power, vibrating through the air, and my knees trembled beneath me.

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