Page 198 of All Your Deadly Truths
Tali is gone, and as the gates to the Beyond close, I blink.
All the lies.
All the truths.
All of them bloody.
All of them deadly.
The world is nothing but a shell, and it’s like my own Amoro can feel it too. Our bond with Kai has been severed and it isn’t just my mind that knows he is gone, but it’s my skin, my heart, my bones. Everything knows he’sgone…
I’m alone, and as I look down at his head, I reach out for it. I slip grabbing it, my fingers shaking as I cradle his face between my hands.
I rest him down into my lap and watch as my tears fall onto his cheeks. My finger runs along his cold skin, his normal light ebony turning to an ashen gray.
My trembling touch caresses across his lips, tugging up at the corner, hoping it will stay so I can see him smile.
“I still expect those pancakes…” I suck in a wet breath that accompanies my out of control whimpering. My temples hurt but no more than my heart.
It wants to stop beating, so we can be with him forever.
“I’m sorry.” I lean forward and press my forehead to his. “I am so sorry this was our fate.”
Wrapping my arms around his head, I scream.
I scream out in agony.
I scream out in pain.
I scream out for anyone to hear my plea that this isn’t fair.
I scream out for a different fate.
I scream out for Kai. For my Mark. For the man I love.
I scream out for help.
I need help. I need help.
“Please, I need help…”
I choke on a sob. “Cinnamon… Come back… please… come back…”
Chapter 62
Xeraphine
The next few days have been a blur. I scarcely recall how I got back to Alaric’s mansion.
Mister had brought Kayn to me, and soon after, Alaric appeared. I don’t know which of the two carried me still gripping onto Kai’s head, but one of them did while the other took his body. I’m positive I passed out, but between the times I was awake and behind closed eyes, it’s really inconceivable to me.
Sidence is under lockdown, from what Kayn has said to Sydni. I can barely hear or make sense of anything around me. All I understand is that preparations have been made for me, thanks to Mister.
I don’t know what I’d do without my Familiar at this point. The thought of not having him, of having to do all this on my own, makes my already aching temples throb. I can barely manage two steps, let alone set up the casket in this strange dungeon of Alaric’s.
“Xera?”
I blink, the wall in front of me the same stone it had been however long ago I began beating it with my gaze.
