Fuck, fuck, fuck. Kai, please!
“I have to say, I’m very disappointed in you.” I didn’t think it possible to hate Lars more, but the way he talks to what is mine…
I clench my jaw tightly, my shoulders trembling.
“I do not give a fuck what you are. Release her, or so help me?—”
A sob cracks from my throat.
I’m so godsdamn sorry.
“No talking, okay?” I will kill this son of a bitch for speaking to him this way!
There’s a moment of silence before Lars finally continues, “Good boy. Now, as I was saying... I’m very disappointed in you. I was hoping that when my father died you could be by my side. Everything about you is strong, except for your weakness for a mere woman.” Another pause, heavier this time, before he resumes talking. “I knew I smelled her on you. I wanted to think it was a coincidence, that maybe I was daydreaming of my forgotten Xeraphine. But when I saw you show up in the mountains, getting out of your car parked at the ranger’s station, and then carrying her back…” He lets out a slow, almost amused sigh. “I knew I wasn’t mistaken.”
I find my voice, albeit gentle. “Kai…” I don’t know if he can hear me, but I hope that he does. “He’s Lars…”
“I would rather not have to put her back in the ground, you see.”
I despise that I’m crying, but I’m powerless to stop it. If there’s one thing I loathe more than anything, it’s not being in control.
Now, I hate that I’ll be taken away from him—the one person who has made me feel, and understandsmewithout taking anything away in the process. The thought of being torn from him fills me with a cold terror. I will suffer, for who knows how long, not knowing if he’ll still be alive when I’m found.
If… I’m found.
Something deep inside tells me I won’t be as lucky this time.
“They are going to put me back, Kai.” A sob fractures through my attempt at being strong. “I’m sorry—” My voice comes out louder than I intended, and instantly, Tali’s grip on my hair tightens.
“Don’t you fucking look at her!” He’s pissed, and I can’t imagine loving him more, but somehow, I do. “Please… I’ll do anything. Don’t do this…. What do you want?”
I love you. I’m so sorry I pushed you away.
The fact that he’s pleading for me, and I hurt him the way I did, shatters me. My heart, which has barely started to come back together, breaks apart all over again.
“Nothing from you. Well,beforeI didn’t want anything from you. Now, you are playing a nice piece in the game. So really, thank you, Kairhyse.”
Don’t say his fucking name!
Tali yanks my head back, and I force my eyes open to see the phone in Lars’s hand. Kairhyse is staring at me through the screen, his gaze locked onto mine. My lip trembles as I see the helplessness in his eyes. His arm is outstretched to his side, and I can only imagine it’s Sydni he’s trying to protect. The one other person I can’t lose.
Keep her safe… please…Tears stain my cheeks, each drop a searing mix of pain and sorrow, and my mind fractures with each new one that falls.
“No…” His voice is barely audible.
I know what’s coming before it happens. It’s as if my senses can already feel the blade slicing through the air, its silent promise of fatality closing in on me.
“Find me. Please, I l?—”
Death is so peaceful; so quiet.
Until it reminds you that you aren’t welcome in its sanctuary, and that you’re still bound to this world. One that is bent on making you suffer.
Chapter 1
Kairhyse
Present
