Page 102 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
Eviana nodded, looking around at the destruction. At the shadows that were only growing. She was wasting time. Another sentinel could appear at any moment, and she’d used so much of her power too fast. They were out in the open for anyone to see, anyone to find.
She heard the rocks crunching under boots, saw the mountain cat in her periphery. Then a large hand wrapped around the one that gripped the dagger, and Lange lowered down beside her. They hadn’t left her, and that realization made herfeelsomething. Something that was too much with what she was facing.
“You are sure about this?” Lange asked, his voice low and soft.
She didn’t know if he was asking her or Lev, but they both nodded. Corbin sat, tail switching and keen eyes observing, as Lange lifted her hand and guided it, the blade hovering over that cleared spot on Lev’s chest. It would still be her hand that did it. That gave Lev mercy. Her hand that spilled his blood, not the Fae male’s. They wouldn’t be punished because it was her giving this to someone as tired and as tortured as she was. Who understood that to continue living this life wasn’t living at all.
The dagger came down.
It sliced through flesh and muscle and bone.
And the only sign of pain was a small wince from Lev, because even in death, they knew better than to show emotion. Than to betray themselves or their Masters.
Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth as Lev whispered, “Thank you, Eviana.”
And then his eyes closed forever, and her eyes fell closed too, wetness clinging to her lashes.
The last time she’d cried was the day they’d taken something small and innocent from her.
“We have to go,” Lange said too gently for someone that had just helped end a life.
Eviana nodded, yanking the dagger back to herself. Lange took it from her hand, wiping the blade on Lev’s coat before handing it back to her. She shoved it down the side of her boot before standing.
“I’m sorry,” Lange said when she turned away.
“Don’t be,” she replied coldly. “Let’s go.”
They were silent as they hurried to the trees, slipping into the Dreamlock Woods. They couldn’t go too deep yet, but they needed to get deep enough that they’d be nearly impossible to find.
Somewhere along the way, Lange had swiped the pack he’d dropped. It was slung over one shoulder, and Corbin stayed in his mountain cat form for whatever reason. She didn’t have it in her to wonder right now.
So no one spoke.
No one spoke when she finally stopped, too tired to continue. No one spoke as they coaxed a small fire to life, eating protein bars and apples. No one spoke when she curled up on her side to sleep. No one spoke, but they stayed closer than they ever had before.
Corbin lay down near her head, and Lange stretched out beside her, his head resting against Corbin’s flank. He wasn’t touching her, but she could feel his body heat. Inches away, the comfort was an offering if she chose to take it.
She didn’t.
20
THEON
Finally.
That was all he could think as he sucked in a sharp breath. This always happened when he found himself here. It took a moment to orient himself, although it was getting easier each time. The hardest part was figuring out where in Devram he was and where he’d most likely find her.
Still in his suit from dinner, he turned in a slow circle. Everything was in ruins, as it always was. Partial buildings covered in moss and decay. Rubble and the-gods-knew-what else under his feet. The black waters rushed and flowed, but this wasn’t the Night Waters because this wasn’t the Arius Kingdom. Which meant it was likely the Wynfell River. It was the only other place with black water because he’d turned them black himself. There was the possibility that someone at sometime had turned some waters black in the future, but he didn’t have time to contemplate the odds. He never knew how long she’d keep him here.
He started moving, his pace brisk, keeping an eye out for the only other person he ever saw here. She always kept herdistance, and he was still trying to figure out what her presence meant.
There were trees far off, and it didn’t take long to realize he was close to Faven. Or what would have been Faven. Decades in the future, it was as desolate as everywhere else, the Fates having come just like he’d said they would.
Just like it’d been prophesied.
But she’d survived. These visions proved that, and that was all that mattered.
He turned, about to head toward what would have been the capital city, when he spotted the glimmer of gold as the sun’s rays caught on her hair. Forcing himself not to run, he made his way to her, rounding a small bend to find her standing at the river’s edge, arms wrapped tightly around herself.
