But several things came together for me in that moment. Sebastian’s expression and his energy when Cara had formed a team, yet left him behind to guard the academy.Galeran.
Yes,he answered.In the beginning, I be so sure of him. He led us away from an Elder council who had locked us up for over a thousand years. I thought I’d found my true calling. But it didn’t take me long to determine he be a monster. And he will never forgive me for betraying him.
The woman walked forward.
“Well, Sebastian. We meet again.”
He turned his attention from me to focus it on her. “Hello, Isobel. Still serving the master of darkness, I see.” His words were calm, but I sensed how his heart twisted. This woman had meant something to him at one time.
No more,he said.I now know the difference between infatuation and love.The mental stroke he gave me set my world on fire. But woven through it was the urge to protect—and it was then that I realized what he’d done.
They’d been out here. Searching for him. And he’d led them away fromme.
Panic flooded me.Sebastian, you have to fight them. Get away.
There be a time to fight. But now not be it. She has brought too many with her. And I trained these men. It is not their fault they have been misled.
They have made their choice, Sebastian. You cannot be responsible for it. You must fight them.I’d risen at some point and now stumbled along the riverbank. I longed to join him, to stand with him against them. But I was too far away.
No, Anna. Fate has led us here for a reason. Galeran and I have a destiny to follow.
No!I was sobbing now. If he went with them, would I ever see him again?
Seen through his eyes, Isobel tossed her hair and addressed him. “Galeran is everything. He will lead us into a new future. You were a fool not to see it.”
Sebastian chuckled. There wasn’t a hint of true mirth in it. “And where be your mighty leader? Afraid to face me until I am in chains, I presume?”
Her eyes gleamed an odd shade of blue—almost like it was muddied. There was none of Cara’s grace or calm in her. All I sensed from her was anger and hate.
She glared at Sebastian. “I told him it was too risky coming here. He will see you again, soon enough.” She gestured to the Bellati. “Take him.”
Sebastian, if you will not fight, then run!
There be nowhere I can run where they will not find me.
No. Beneath those words—the truth. He would not run, because it might lead them tome.
The group closed in. Iwas running, stumbling along the stony bank, my feet carrying me to where my heart resided.
It be okay, Anna. This be inevitable. We all, eventually, must face our demons. Or, in my case, demon.
No! Sebastian...I tripped over a boulder and fell. Hit hard, the jolt almost snapping me out of the rapport I shared with him.
I thank you, Anna, for showing me what be possible. For giving me a glimpse of what be worth fighting for.
Sebastian—My heart was tearing in two. He sent me a final burst of what was in his soul—the fire and passion that was purehim.
And then, he was gone.
I reached for him, desperate, but he’d either shut me out, or they’d done something to him. Try as I might, this time I couldn’t break through.
I pulled myself to my feet and clambered over the rocks. I had no idea where he was, but I had to try.
And then I felt it. The surge and tingle as a gate opened. The energy gave me a focus, something to track. I turned toward it—to find myself facing the fortified wall.
No way over. No way through.
And then it snapped off. They were gone, and they’d taken him with them.
