Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
The words feel inadequate, a pale shadow of what I truly want to say. But it’s all I can offer without risking everything.
Chapter
Forty-Seven
Ahalf hour later, Bram crashes through the back door, followed by Tynan and Marrok. The newcomer’s already one of the lads, if Marrok’s back-slapping and grins are anything to go by. They look bloody pleased with themselves.
A surge of irrational anger rips through me. Bram’s found himself a shiny new warrior with bugger-all experience. I shouldn’t give a toss. I’m not one of the Doomsday Brethren, am I? But seeing Tynan slide so effortlessly into place… It bothers me more than it should.
The others file in, Sabelle’s golden curls catching the wind. Ice follows, his eyes devouring her like a starving man at a feast. She tosses him a wide-eyed glance over her shoulder before Duke shuts the door.
Sydney descends the stairs, fresh from her shower. She breezes past me, and Christ, if she isn’t a siren call to every cell in my body. I want her again—and not just for a shag. Being near her both soothes and ignites me. Loving every stubborn, passionate inch of her would be so easy. Too easy. But I can’t let this…whatever it is continue. I have to stop her transcasting plans, keep my gob shut, and my trousers zipped.
She lingers by the library, avoiding my gaze. The hurt on her face twists like a rusty blade in my gut. But I’m not the crusader she needs. Magic has burned me—both in the past and the present. I suffered loss after loss as a Marine. Staying here, getting close to anyone in this mad war—it will only lead to heartbreak.
I catch her arm. “Please, drop this transcasting idea.”
She yanks free. “Please stop hiding from me and yourself.”
Bloody hell, Sydney never makes anything easy. “Look, I know you’re brassed off, and I’m sorry. But you can’t protect yourself in this war. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Her icy facade cracks, and the pain in her eyes is like a punch to the solar plexus.
“I can’t sit about twiddling my thumbs. If you cared for me at all, you’d understand that.”
“Firecracker, it’s because I care that I can’t let you,” I murmur.
She arches a brow. “You never asked what I wanted. What I was willing to risk. You just assumed I shouldn’t risk anything, like you. You can’t even be honest about why you won’t join the Doomsday Brethren permanently. So I’m not surprised you can’t be honest about your feelings.”
Before I can reply, Bram and the others spill into the hallway. I bite my tongue. There’s so much she doesn’t know. But even if she did, Sydney would still charge in, consequences be damned. Despite what happened to Anka, she’s determined to do what she thinks is right. It’s both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
“We’re briefing Tynan on Mathias’s attacks. You in?” Bram asks.
I shake my head. “I’m leaving to search for Anka. Lucan isn’t improving, despite Sabelle’s efforts.”
Bram hesitates. “Yet.”
“Can you spare anyone to help me?” I glare at Tynan, who’s still scowling but fitting in like he was born to it. “Or am I surplus to requirements, now you’ve got fresh blood?”
Bram frowns. “We need every hand we can get. You and I have had our differences, but we both want what’s best for Lucan.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your war.”
Bram nods, unapologetic. “It can’t. Will you stay and fight? I’ll send Ice out with you tonight, regardless. After that, if you won’t remain, I have to focus everything on defeating Mathias.”
The planned attack on Mathias’s compound looms in my mind. As soon as Shock resurfaces, they’ll finalize and execute. I don’t want to tie myself any closer to this magical mess, but what if Anka’s been recaptured? Can I really walk away?
“Yes,” I mutter, the word tasting like ash in my mouth.
Bram smiles. “Until then.”
“In the meantime, she has nothing to say that you should hear.” I jerk my head toward Sydney. “Are we clear?”
“Damn you!” Sydney spits.
Bram fights a smile. “Indeed.”
He turns away, ushering Tynan into his office. Marrok follows, closing the door. The feeling of being shut out intensifies, and I hate that it bothers me. I never wanted in, did I?
“Where to?” Ice slips on a pair of leather gloves to ward off the November chill.
I have no idea. And that, more than anything, shows how lost I truly am.
Chapter
Forty-Eight
Sydney
Iglare at the closed doors, alone in the suddenly empty hallway. Caden’s not only cut off my access to Bram, but he’s scarpered again—right after trying to dictate my actions. The bloody tosser!
It’s mental that magickind is in the dark about their worst enemy’s return. They should know the truth, along with safety measures, emergency contacts, and how to report Mathias sightings. Anything would be better than this dangerous ignorance.