Page 46 of Fire Touched

Elga’s shoulders are tight. ‘Yes.’ Finally, she turns to me. ‘I think there is only one way to rebuild what you have broken. To let the bond reforge naturally. I saw them today. Side by side, they stood together, even through Katherine’s newfound fear.’ She looks into the distance, seeing something I cannot. ‘Yes. If there is any hope, it is for them to continue on with what they are meant to do.’

I stare into the messy, bloody cell, trying not to picture what Julian might have done to Carter. ‘For them to bring the four packs and two covens together.’

‘Indeed. You actually helped with that today.’ Elga doesn’t reach out and comfort me as Prescott does, but her silver eyes soften a bit.

‘What do I have to do to help them?’

Elga pauses, tilting her head, eyes glazing over. For a long minute, I watch impatiently. ‘Soon, they will leave this place. They must travel, and so must you. You will have a choice, Killian. Choose wisely.’

‘Wait, what choice? What do you mean?’

She offers a sad, knowing smile. ‘That is all. Now, come. We have a feast to attend.’

I stare into the cell, a fresh wave of guilt crashing over me. ‘Elga, wait. Did you ever see… Julian hurt Courtney?’ I hold my breath.

Elga sighs. ‘No. Never. He hasn’t harmed her. Only the boy.’

‘Why?’

Elga’s eyes are dark with sadness. ‘Frustration and anger can present in many ways. The alpha didn’t have the heir he wanted. Carter is… softer than Courtney.’ Her eyes meet mine. ‘Surely you can understand making irrational decisions based on frustration?’

I flinch. I open my mouth to ask if she’s comparing me to that beast, but the witch has dissolved into the cool, night breeze. A violent shudder passes over me, and it has nothing to do with the weather.

Instead of going to the feast, I turn and sit in the cell, surrounded by bloodstains. What I did to Carter might not have been abusive, but it was violent and painful. I broke whatever trust we might have shared, even after he saved my life, and Katherine’s. He took a knife in the chest.

‘Fuck.’ Tears well in my eyes as I rub a hand down my face. As the weight of my actions truly set in, I think I have an idea of the choice Elga mentioned. What it will be. I rub a hand over my own heart, trying to imagine the pain I’ve caused. If there was a way for me to take it away from them, both of them, I would.

Movement catches my attention, I flick my gaze up. ‘Who’s there?’ My voice echoes down the long, damp hallway.

A slight figure appears. A woman. It takes me several moments to realise she’s actually a young woman. Mistaken for age, I stand, taking in the girl’s silver hair. ‘Who are you?’ I needn’t have asked. She tilts her head to take me in, and as she moves, a line snakes up her neck, over one of her cheeks. A line of ivy.

Her eyes shine in the torchlight, bleaching her colour. Without speaking, she takes a tentative step forward.

Ivy. Verron’s daughter. It’s hard to guess at her age, but her cheeks are thin, her chin held high. Maybe about my age. Twenty or so. Amusement dances at the edges of her mouth. She’s wearing a long-sleeved, fitted white gown which hugs slim curves. Now, why haven’t I met her—or, before tonight—even heard her name?

I try to smile, but there are still tears on my cheeks, my insides a mess, so I’m pretty sure it’s more like a grimace. ‘Ivy, right?’

She doesn’t even blink. She knows I know her name. She knows I was eavesdropping earlier tonight. Amusement curls her lips as she nods. Then she notices the tear tracks, and all amusement fades away. She takes a step forward, and I realise she’s not wearing shoes.

‘Your feet must be freezing.’

Ivy shakes her head, and hitches her dress up a little to better walk. I get a glimpse of vines up her ankles, too.

‘You seem to be Terran’s best-kept secret Ivy, why is that?’

She freezes, shoulders tightening. She lowers her gaze, small hands clenched in her soft dress. ‘I wanted to meet the hybrid. My parents… didn’t agree.’

‘I didn’t mean to offend you. Sorry.’ I rake my hand through my hair, roughly pulling.

A slight crease of her brows. ‘I thought the hybrid was your mate. I… I came down to watch you walk her to the feast.’ Her cheeks flush, embarrassed that she too was spying. ‘I mean… Well, then I saw you come in here. Why aren’t you with her?’

I inhale deeply. ‘Because I upset her. I thought I should leave her alone.’

Ivy shakes her head. ‘That’s stupid. That won’t show her you care.’

My mouth quirks. ‘Oh? What do you know about it, hmm?’

‘I know more about how girls think than you, obviously.’

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