Page 97 of Conflicted

The true meaning sank in. “So, if you don’t follow through, they’ll execute you too.”

“Yes. I imagine they will.”

That decided things for me. Dropping to my knees, I raised my chin. “Okay. I’m ready.”

That had Micah’s attention snapping back to me. The blood drained from his face as he took in my position. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m deadly serious,” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ve cleared it with the demons. The deal won’t kick in because I don’t want them to protect me from this.”

“That’s what you’re worried about right now?”

“Yes, I don’t want them arriving and stopping you doing this.”

Micah’s nostrils flared. My little angel was beyond fury now. “That’s what you’re focusing on? Not me executing you?”

I smiled up at him sadly. “At least I know you’ll make it quick and painless, Micah. It’s far more than I deserve.”

“You’re serious,” he whispered in disbelief. “You actually expect me to execute you and walk away happily.”

“Yes. It’s the only way you’ll keep your life. I’m damned already—I’m not taking you with me.”

Micah’s gaze flicked to the skies. Was he praying for a last-minute miracle we’d never get?

“It’s okay,” I said gently. “I want you to do this. You’re not to feel guilty either — this is the only path for you, and I’m happy for you to take it. I executed Emilio knowing this would be the outcome. I’m sorry you’re the one they’re making do it, but please don’t torture yourself over this. I forgive you. I’d forgive you anything, little angel.”

Micah finally looked back at me. Tight lines framed his thinnedlips. “Anything?”

“Anything,” I promised, relieved to see him pulling a dagger from his belt. “I’d always forgive you, because I love you.”

His lips thinned. “Let’s test that theory, shall we?”

He struck like a cobra, his dagger piercing my throat like butter.

Micah was shaking, the blood leaving his face as easily as it left my throat. He didn’t move to catch me, just let me collapse sideways onto the sand.

He doesn’t look scared,I realised as the life leeched from me. He was shaken. Upset. But not scared.

No. Micah was determined.

It was the final thought I had before death claimed me.

22

Micah

If slicing my mate’s throat was the hardest thing I’d ever done, letting him collapse to the ground was the second.

I couldn’t be seen to help him. In fact, if I was going to pull this off, I couldn’t be seen to be affected at all.

I’d suspected that Nox’s hearing wasn’t as sensitive as mine the day the crane had collapsed, but it had been confirmed by the fact that he hadn’t heard the approaching archs. Either that, or he’d been so distracted by his ridiculous self-sacrifice plan that he hadn’t realised how close danger truly was.

Now I just had to make sure he didn’t wake up before I got us somewhere safe. My stomach rolled, but I knew I had to do this. He’d recover too fast otherwise.

Comforting myself with the fact he wouldn’t feel any pain, I quickly broke Nox’s neck. My dagger sliced over him again and again, opening places where his main arteries flowed.

The sand was crimson with his blood now. I swallowedback vomit, trying desperately not to look at the damage I’d done.

He’s not in pain. He’s only temporarily dead. You’re doing this to save him. He’s going to wake up completely healed.

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