Page 90 of Ever Dark

But the last year has taken a toll on us all. I’m guessing Libra influenced him as well. She kind of owes me one. Not that I’m keeping score. I’d do anything for Aries and his sister.

I promised him he’ll get it back, unscathed, but with a little more blood on it. Lettie is returning to Tenebrose Academy in the Spring and has promised to deliver it straight into his hands.

Now we have our means, our will, and our little lamb. It’s timeto drop the veil. To bring the darkness into the light. And maybe it will ease some of my burden as well.

I open the box and unwrap the silver dagger from its velvet cloth. A tingle shoots up my wrist when I latch onto the hilt. It reverberates in my chest, tickling the hairs on the back of my neck. So many sigils have been carved with this blade. Thousands of bonds forged. It’s a testament to Riot’s confidenceandcockiness that he knows he’s getting it back. Anyone who holds it in their hand will think twice about pissing him off.

He doesn’t intimidate me, but we’ve come to blows in the past. And I prefer to have him as an ally rather than an enemy. Not to mention that psycho Valentin Erebus never leaves his side. Not much is known abouthisfamily, and that is something that scares me a little.

I wrap the dagger back in its velvet cloth, slip it into my inside jacket pocket, and down the rest of my gin before heading out the door.

Rodrick already has the car running when I get outside. I look up at the dark sky and search for stars like I’ve done every night since realizing what I was. But it’s still pitch black. A shudder passes through me.

“Ready, son?” Rodrick holds the limousine door open for me.

“Let’s go. Trouble’s waiting.”

Mia sits between Aries and Bones in her signature ripped jeans, black motorcycle boots, and black zip-up hoodie. Rodrick closes the partition, giving us privacy as he drives us deep into the woods. To the Wishing Tree.

I breathe in deeply, desperate to consume every trace of jasmine that wafts between us. I want to bathe in it. Thoughts of slipping into her bathroom while she’s showering fill my head. I swallow hard, almost choking on my own need.

Her mismatched eyes watch me with caution. She can always sense when I’m at my most unhinged. Her nightmare calling to mine. “Count the trees, Draven,” she commands in a soothing voice.

I loosen my tie and feel the weight of the raven’s blade practically burning a hole in me. I take a deep breath and gaze out the tinted window. It’s too dark to see, but I count in my head, bringing myself back to the present.

Bones moves to my side of the limo. He slides his hand behind my neck, kneading his fingers into my tight muscles. “Tranquilo,” he coaxes. “Everything’s all right, Dray.”

I grit my teeth. “I’m fine.”

Aries loosens his tie as well. “You’re making me nervous, man.”

“Nox won’t hurt anyone,” Mia rasps.

“You don’t know that.” Just because Nox loves her it doesn’t mean she will be able to control what he does. We are unleashing a nightmare man. Once he’s out, he can’t be put back.

She nods. “You’re right. But I have to believe that everything’s going to be fine.”

Rodrick parks the limousine in a clearing in the woods. He gets out and opens the door for us. We leave him there as we go the rest of the way on foot.

The woods are so dark, Bones uses a flashlight to direct us there. He walks arm in arm with Mia while Aries and I follow. The knots in my chest tighten as we approach the sacred tree. Its roots extend out by at least four feet in every direction, swallowing up the ground.

Mia lights five candles around the base of the tree, her hands shaking the whole time. I watch as the flickering flames cast shadows on her face, illuminating her beauty. In the quiet stillness of night, when we aren’t screaming at each other or ripping each other’s clothes off, I can appreciate how exquisite she truly is.

I had wanted her to be mine since that first night at Duff’s, but I was in denial. I’ve been fighting it, afraid to admit to myself that Ineed her. But I won’t let her go now. I don’t care that I have to share her.She’s still mine.

“Did you bring the vial I gave you?” Bones asks.

She nods and fishes it out of her pocket.

“Good. Drink all of it,” he tells her.

He made her a small dose of baneberry, diluted with healing herbs found on her property at Harker Mansion. Along with helping her sleep, the poison will keep her connected to this world.

I hand her the raven’s blade. “Make five cuts in the palm of your right hand and then smear your blood on the Wishing Tree. Speak your intention as we practiced.”

Mia’s breath hitches as she downs the rest of her vial. “It burns,” she croaks.

“The pain will pass. Just breathe into it.” I squeeze her hand, attempting to comfort her.

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