Page 36 of Finn
But for now, we were alive.
We’d bought ourselves a sliver of time, a fragile chance to escape this world of endless blood and shadow.
“Gabriel,” I whispered.
The room felt empty without him, too big, too cold, like everything around me was just a hollow shell.
I closed my eyes, letting my mind drift back to the feel of his arms around me, to the safety I’d felt, even if only for a brief moment.
I’d never wanted this life, not like this.
Not a life where duty forced me to kill the only person who’d ever made me feel like there was more to the world than just the endless hunt.
Not a life where I couldn’t even have one person to call my own.
A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it, and I let it fall. It was too late to keep the emotions at bay now.
I’d lost control, and everything was spilling over. Every regret, every bit of guilt, every ounce of yearning that had been locked away.
All for Gabriel.
I clutched my phone like a lifeline, hoping he’d call, hoping he’d tell me he was okay, hoping there was a way for us to make it through this alive.
CHAPTER TEN
GABRIEL
The first thingthat crossed my mind as I woke from my slumber was Finn.
My gut twisted at the thought that maybe he’d decided to leave, to head back to the Guild, where he’d be safe, where he’d belong… away from me.
But I quickly shook off the worry.
Finn wouldn’t do that, not after what we’d been through last night. I knew him better than that, or at least I thought I did.
I forced myself up and headed to the bathroom, letting the cold water clear my head.
Tonight was risky. Beric had his private audience with Queen Arabella, which meant he’d likely be out of sight for the evening.
If I was careful, I could slip away, see Finn, and make sure he was all right.
After I dressed and ran a hand through my damp hair, I left my room and strode down the corridor, not bothering to mask the urgency in my steps.
I nearly barreled into Justin, who was vacuuming just outside my door.
He muttered an apology, but I waved it off, my mind elsewhere.
The whole house was still, the heavy shadows cast by the setting sun slipping through the windows.
I took the chance to dart out through the kitchen’s back door.
But as I neared the garden gate, intending to take the quickest path to the street, I froze.
Gael was standing by the gate, chatting with Theo. His eyes flicked to me immediately, a lazy smile spreading across his face.
“What’s the rush, Gabriel?” Gael asked, his voice light but his gaze anything but.
“None of your business,” I said evenly.
