Page 154 of Kingdom of Chaos
I close my eyes, focusing on the weight of the shards in my hands, the echoes of power they still hold.
The threads pulse brighter between Talon and me, and I let myself feel the connection. Not the magic, but the love, the bond we forged together. I think about home, the creature world I grew up in; my parents who are there; our apartment above our shop; Pete’s gym that’s practically a second home. I think about the times I spent with Ensley and Becks at Sloan’s drinking milkshakes and laughing. I think about how desperate I am to get back.
“Please,” I whisper. To whom or what, I’m not exactly sure. I’ve never thought much about the Creator before, but if demons forged this cursed blade, then maybe there is a force out there with greater power who can help me now, because I know I can’t do this on my own.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts, crackling like static, and when I open my eyes a faint glow appears at the edges of the shards. The space in front of me ripples with heat and energy, while the ground trembles beneath my feet.
“Come on,” I whisper. “Come on.”
The air distorts; a crack splits open in the ripples before me, leaving what looks like a rip in the air—shimmering, unstable, but real.
A portal.
Different than the one that appeared before, but that’s clearly what it is.
“Go!” Imogen snaps, her voice cutting through the hum of the magic.
She doesn’t wait for anyone to argue, grabbing Titus’ arm to help him up. Ensley quickly moves in, supporting him as they make their way toward the shimmering tear.
Before crossing through, Titus lifts his head, catching Talon’s gaze. His face is pale, battered, bloodied, but there’s fire in his eyes as he rasps, “You’re a good creature, Talon. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Talon gives him a sharp nod, but the gratitude in his eyes says more than words could.
Ensley’s sad gaze lingers on Talon, her voice soft but full of meaning. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done for us. And for getting my brother back.”
Then, with Titus leaning heavily on her, they step through the portal and vanish.
“Becks, Locklyn, let’s go,” Imogen says, waving us over. “I’ll stay behind and?—”
“No,” Talon says, struggling to sit up. The movement looks like it costs him. “You’re all going,” he says, his voice firmer than it should be considering how weak he is. “Take the shards and him.” He gestures toward the figure on the ground that’s been all but forgotten since Talon collapsed. “Neither of them belongs in this world. Bring them back to the Society. They’ll know what to do.”
With her lips pressed into a tight line, Imogen hesitates for only a second before nodding. Bending down, she hefts the figure to his feet and all but drags him toward the portal. She glances back once before stepping through.
“I love you,” she says to her cousin, her face fierce.
Talon nods back. “And I you. Live well.”
With shining eyes, she walks through the portal and disappears.
I know I have to leave. If I don’t, and soon, Talon will die. But with my eyes locked on his, I can’t make my feet move.
Talon’s gaze shifts over my shoulder and connects with something. “Becks,” he says, asking for help, then strong hands grab me from behind.
“It’s time,” Becks says softly, his familiar heat seeping into me, yet doing nothing to warm me. “We have to go.”
I shake my head, my world shattering around me.
I can’t.
But I have to.
“Promise to protect her,” Talon says to Becks.
“I won’t have to,” Becks answers. “We both know she can take care of herself. But I promise to be there if she ever needs me.”
A weak smile crosses Talon’s face. “Now you’re getting it.”
Becks pulls me back a step, and panic tears through me. Talon is still so weak, and we’re just leaving him here.
