The commanding voice was impossible to ignore. Nikolai stiffened, and Demeti took advantage of his distraction to race for the window. At the last second, the frame glowed as the Torshin brutally yanked power to activate a gate. He vanished through, and with a pop, the window returned to normal.
Gritting his teeth, Nikolai turned to regard Cara. She bent over Aria and Lucas. Both lay slumped against the wall, trembling.
Cara wasn’t alone. Out in the hall, Nikolai sensed others. Watchers. At least four, with more scattered throughout the building.
They were tending to the dying.
His heart froze. Thedying. He’d done what he’d swore he never would do. A part of him had recognized Aria and Lucas, and searched elsewhere, but even they were requiring Cara’s healing power.
He could have killed them all.
As Cara leaned over Lucas, Aria’s gaze met Nikolai’s. And for the first time, he saw fear within it.
She knew, now. Knew the truth of it.
Hewasa monster.
Cara straightened and faced him head on. He admired her courage, considering she’d seen what he could do. And the inner voice had been right. The Watchers might be able to cut him off from the deep core energy, but they couldn’t stop him from sucking the life from everything for miles around.
They couldn’t stop the monster in him. Only keep it from bringing the realm down around his ears.
Maybe.
Cara’s vivid-blue gaze measured him, traced the black fog drifting off his skin, and finished by meeting his eyes.
“Just breathe, Nikolai,” she coached. “You have to ramp it down. Push away your anger. Demeti is gone.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Against his neck, Mai trembled and uttered a soft squeak. A warm hand wrapped around his arm, and Cara began to hum.
The music insinuated itself into his soul, pushing back on the anger, its blue and green energy soothing him. He focused on it, letting it work its magic. A part of him longed for the balance it offered, and as he listened to her, it grew stronger, pushing back the darkness.
When he opened his eyes again, Aria and Lucas had moved to the couch. How long had he been standing there? His eyes met Cara’s.
She smiled at him. “Better?”
“Yeah.” Nikolai glanced at the two piles of ash near the window. Two dead, for sure. “How many?” he asked.
“We’re doing a head count now,” she replied softly.
“He was doing it to save Lucas,” Aria protested, but her voice shook.
“I know,” Cara responded. “But the reasons no longer matter.”
Nikolai shot her a look, and a surge of desperation caused the black fog to reappear. “You said you could train me.”
Cara’s expression relayed her regret. “I’m afraid that time has passed. The Elders have spoken against my wishes. My hands, for the time being, are tied.”
Nikolai swallowed, and the panic rose within him. He could fight the Watchers, he knew that now. And he’d likely win. But at what cost?
Go with them. They will bring you to me. And I will train you.
Who are you?Nikolai demanded.
But the voice fell silent, just as more forms pushed through the door. Women of differing heights and features, but all had long braided white hair laced with beads and crystals.
Watchers.
One of them, a tall woman whose face was lined with age, stepped forward. “We request that you come with us.”
