Page 96 of The Death Dealer

“My father came back changed, Fin. Dead inside.” Trevor didn’t know how to relay his concerns. Relayhedidn’t want that for himself.Didn’twant to be half the man he was, always with one foot in a darker world.

“That wasn’t from the reconstitution, son,” Ben said on the heels of his comment. He occupied the adjoining cell. His trial hadn’t gone well, and Benwas slatedfor the same punishment for his part in killing a Red Guard. “It was from the knowledge I failed my family. That I failed your mother and you boys. That I failed to protect you from the Authority.”

“You were changed, though. And what happens when I fail to remember Soleil? How is she going to feel?”

“Happy you’re alive?” Ben suggested. “You can rebuild what was lost. Your memories will return, eventually. I’ll restore them.”

“And you, Dad? What if your outcome is different this time around? What if they take pains to wipe your memory and lessen your abilities?”

Draven pushed away from the wall, uncrossed his arms from his chest, and straightened. “Then the rest of us will appeal to the Aether on your behalf,mon ami."

“It feels hopeless,” Trev confessed.

“You didn’t see her.” Mattie shook her head as she frowned at him through the glass wall. “She was wrecked. That woman loves you and will continue to until her dying?—”

“Don’t talk about her death, please.” He scrubbed his scalp with his fingertips, ruffling his unkempt hair.

“You get my point, Trev. You’re sentencing her to hell right along with you.” When he remained silent, Mattie sighed. “She wants to see you.”

“No.”

“Have you always been a stubborn ass, or is it a recent development?” she asked in a snippy voice.

“Always,” Ben answered first. “I don’t recall a time when he wasn’t. He does what he believes is right every single time.”

“I don’t want this to be her last memory of me, okay?” Trevor hoped to shut them all the hell up. Dropping his head into his hands, he said, “Can you leave it alone? Please? Grant a dying man his wish.”

“No.”

He jerked upright and searched for the owner of that voice.

Soleil was right inside the doorway with her arms crossed and a pissy expression darkening her lovely face. His thirsty eyes drank in the sight of her even as his mind rejected the idea of her seeing him at his worst.

“I’m only allowed two minutes, so listen up, Trevor Blane.” Her balled fists relocated to her hips, and she stared at him with a ferocity he fully appreciated. Nothing was more beautiful than Soleil when shewas riled. “When I gave you my heart, I didn’t realize you were a coward.”

“What the hell?—”

“I’m not finished.” Cold fury pinched her mouth tight. “I’ve had five days to think about what I wanted to say, and it’s this. You’re a Grade-A coward. You won’t fight for your right to live and our right to be together. You believe you’re taking it on the chin and going to your great reward some hero, but you aren’t.”

“I never said I was a hero,” he objected, stung by her assessment. “And they were never going to rule any other way. I’m not into having my brain fucked with. Thank you very much!”

“Oh, boo hoo! So what? You’ll still be alive.”

“But I won’t beme, Dalli. Don’t you get it? I won’t be the guy you fell in love with.” He needed her to understand.

“I fell in love with a false idol,” she retorted. “With someone I believed was worthy. You’re not him.”

“Now you’re just being mean!”

“Pfft.” She glanced up at the camera mounted in the corner of the room, then at Mattie. “It’s off?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Soleil held up two small vials. “I know you think my ability to create potions is ridiculous and that what I sell in my shop is for fools, but?—”

“I don’t think that!”

“But I am good at what I do. I knowexactlywhich plants do what and their effect when enhanced by magic.” She stomped forward and held up one of the two small containers. “The one with the green cap is if you change your mind and decide I’m worth fighting for.”

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