Page 61 of Demonic Division

The thought should make me happy—maybe even give me some relief—but when I look at the dying golden light in his eyes, I’m filled with anguish.

Unwittingly, my hands trail over the worst of the wounds, hovering just above the mutilated flesh. A pleasant warmth builds in my chest, spreading through my veins to my hands and pooling at the tips of my fingers. Just like with Roark, a faint silver light pulses to life as the heat leaves my skin, traveling into Kaebl’s and mending the oozing wounds.

Cyprien and I work in tandem, stopping only when the worst of the injuries are healed and the pool of blood ceases to grow. My head swims as I sit back on my heels, and I have to brace against the floor as the room threatens to spin out from under me.

“Whoa, bunny,” Cyprien murmurs, reaching a hand out to hold me up. “Easy. We don’t want a repeat of last time.”

I nod, blinking rapidly as the vertigo eases. I take a few deep breaths, raising my head when I’m sure I’m not going to slump to the floor. “I’m good. Just a little dizzy.” I turn my attention back toward Kaebl, my hands reaching out to the small wounds peppering his forearms. Before I make contact, a pair of clawed hands snap up, catching my hands in one of his calloused ones.

Kaebl’s golden eyes blink up at me, his palm tightening around mine as a deep growl builds in his chest.Dagny… how did you?—

“We don’t have time to talk about that.” Cyprieninterrupts, his worried eyes finding mine before settling on Kaebl. “What the hell happened?”

Slaine…Kaebl’s voice dims as his eyes lower, the fissures in his skin pulsing weakly.He’s here… his army… it’s over…

Cyprien shakes his head, horror filling his bright yellow eyes. “No…”

I grip Cyprien’s arm, calling his attention back to me. “Lir and Roark are out there…”

At my words, Kaebl pushes onto his forearms, his muscles shuddering violently as he attempts to stand.I have to help them.

“You’re in no position to do shit,” Cyprien snaps, turning his worried eyes toward the window. “Gods, what do we do?”

Instead of following Cyprien’s gaze, Kaebl continues to stare at me, his golden eyes glowing molten—filled with an emotion I couldn’t begin to place.

Cyprien. Take Dagny down to the dungeon.

“What? Why?”

Kaebl narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t take them off me.If the castle falls, it’s the best place for her to be.

He just shakes his head. “If it falls, she’ll be buried down there.”

Better than Slaine finding her. A quick death is better than the torture Slaine would put her through if he discovered her.

Cyprien’s grip tightens around my arm, and he pulls me toward him possessively. “You’re putting her down there todie?”

He turns his gaze onto Cyprien, the muscle in the side of his jaw ticking.Yes.

“You can’t fucking do that!”

There is no hope for her, Cyprien!His voice roars into our minds.I’ve seen the size of his army. Unless we were able toreverse the sundering, there was no way to defeat them. There never was.

With a grimace, Kaebl pushes upright, his battered wing creaking with the movement. His expression hardens as he looks deep into Cyprien’s eyes, and when he speaks, his voice is absent of any emotion.Do the right thing, Cyprien. Give her a good death.

“I won’t,” Cyprien snarls, his claws digging deep into my skin. “Ican’t.”

You will.

Just as he finishes speaking, a high-pitched war cry breaks the air, and Cyprien’s head whips toward the window as an ironic smile tips Kaebl’s lips.It’s time, Cyprien. Make your choice.

Cyprien turns back to me, desperation shining in his glowing yellow eyes. “Bunny,” he whispers, his voice cracking with emotion. “Dagny… I’m so sorry…”

My throat constricts, and try as I might, I can’t make any words come out. I can’t plead, or argue, or even tell him Kaebl is wrong. I don’t know nearly enough about this world or my supposed powers to help anyone. To help myself. Hopelessness settles in the pit of my stomach, corroding my insides with despair. But even still, a part of me wants to fight, to live despite the odds.

“You can’t put me down there again,” I say, cursing the shake in my voice. “There has to be something we can do. There has to be a way.”

I look out the window, my chest tightening at the sight of hundreds of tiny black dots lining the horizon—Slaine’s soldiers—and some of the fight in my veins dies.

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