Page 61 of Blood and War
Jace went silent. She knew she should have tried to explain it on the way here, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to do it.
“What is coming?” Like his brother, Sam glared at the Horsemen. At Demitria.
Kane spoke, moving from the entrance to join them. “A being that you don’t want to be anywhere near here if he succeeds. We could have used you over there.” He turned to Kellan.
“While you were wasting your time with the humans, Gabriel tried summoning the council again.” Eire stated, her arms crossing over her chest. Every part of the female looked deadly.
“And?” Kellan raised a brow.
“They didn’t answer.” Kane sighed, his pale blue eyes turning to the floor. Demitria watched the siblings, that curiosity spiking through her.
“We can’t let him succeed.” Gabriel said. Through his clenched hand, she could see the faint hint of red as it leaked past his fingers. “I will not allow it.”
“Who is he?” Tyler asked. Demitria turned toward the boy. The family she had vowed to never let another member fall, and she hated having him out here. One more body to protect with her life. One more she couldn’t let die.
“The Dark King is a power none of you will survive if we don’t stop him before he reaches his potential. Before he comes into the power he seeks.” Kellan’s eyes fell to Demitria. She knew he must have felt the same as her. The Dark King wanted her very soul, and they needed to knowwhy
“They mentioned west.” Cory’s voice echoed off the walls. Loud, to ensure he was heard the first time. “I heard one of them tell the others to bring the bodies west.” He shook his head. “Wish I knew more. For all of our sakes.”
Bodies? Had they taken people from Solis? Did more survive?
“No one faults you. Any bit of information helps.” Kellan smiled at him. Surprise widened Jace and Tyler’s eyes.
“I was headed to the angel encampment when they found me. I wanted answers, and they were the only beings I could think of.” Demitria told them. She wouldn’t tell them about her capture, none of them needing to know the horrors she’d endured. Jace especially. “We were nearly there when Eire came across Jace.” When she’dcapturedhim, really.
“The last report I received they were through the canyon. That was why you were there?” Jace asked her.
Demitria nodded, turning to face the Horsemen once more.
“I will still take you there. I meant what I said earlier.”
Eire opened her mouth to cut her off but Kellan silenced his sister. “Let her speak.” He barked.
“I want answers, just as much as you do.” She focused on Gabriel as she spoke. Willing her words to hit true. “This is my life at stake, and I deserve to have a say in what happens.”
“You’re just as stubborn as he is.” Gabriel groaned, rolling his eyes. He sighed. “You will show us the way, and I will make my decision then. For now, I will give you the opportunity to rest. We ride in a few hours.” Gabriel didn’t wait for any further comment before turning away from them and exiting the cave.
She was grateful for the reprieve, however short it may be. Despite the rest, she needed to figure out a way to make herself useful if she were to stick around.
Demitria had vowed to kill this Dark King. To find her answers and end the creatures that hunted her people for nothing more than sport.
She would find a way to accompany them on the rest of their journey.
Thirty-Six
KELLAN
The night had grown cold in the cave around them. The orange glow of the flames softly illuminated the smooth rock exterior within. The heat was a welcomed necessity as nearly all the humans had fallen asleep an hour before, aside from the twins whispering before the flames. Three of the siblings had initially fought the idea, but Kellan had won out on giving them extra time to rest until dawn. He needed more time. Anything to help delay the inevitable. The battle that he knew they were racing toward. The slaughter that they were now leading them to. The humans wouldn’t survive a fight againsthim. After talks had dwindled down hours before, Demitria and her group had decided they’d all journey to The Fallen with them. Despite their protests, he found himself glad for the extra company.
Kellan’s eyes traveled to Demitria’s sleeping figure on the other side of the blaze.More time.Her head was tucked softly into Jace’s chest. His fingers balled into fists on his lap, jaw clenched as that familiar sensation of boiling blood took hold. The anger swelled within him, despite every bone in his body telling him to behave.
He’d known for a while now that things had changed between them, and was sure she had too. Yet despite knowing better, he was angry. At himself. At Jace. He didn’t even know anymore.
Kellan looked up to find the twins staring at him.
Maybe it was the laughter that echoed off the walls as the twins both sported that familiar shit-eating grin. “What does she mean to you, Horseman?” Sam nodded toward Demitria.
Kellan didn’t answer, and it spoke volumes.
