He peeks over his shoulder, capturing us both in those gray hued orbs. “No one’s getting their mind wiped tonight–or killed,” he huffs, returning his focus to Holland. “There must be an explanation.” His voice is raspy, wrapped in a velvet blanket.
“That’s not what we agreed upon,” Holland commands. “If she failed the Awakening, she’d be removed from Valirene, or removed permanently…Unless you’ve forgotten your own words.”
“Choose your next ones carefully, Elder.” Again, Holland’s title is spoken like venom from Alex’s lips. “They might be your last.” He flicks his wrist, and a few feet behind Holland, a minor rip tears through the air, opening a thin slit of void. Electricity pulses around it, beckoning the elder’s concern, and I can’t help but feel traces of sparks kissing everything this dress isn’t concealing. My heart elevates from a flash of heat, awakening an emotion long since forgotten.
Whatever magic this is draws Rebecca’s and Ethan’s attention–who have remained quiet until now.
“So, the day has finally come when you’ve decided to do it, I see,” Ethan says dryly, aligning himself beside Alex and sharing a brief look, one that makes the hairs on my arms rise.
Ethan’s devious smirk mixed with Alex’s vicious scowl has my stomach churning. Not knowing if I should run or stay, I watch Alex find his resolve, and the rip closes.
“Are you condoning his actions?” Holland points. “You, too, made a vow to end her just as I did. Unless, like him, you’re not a fay of your word.”How can they toss around me living or dying so easily? As if my life’s insignificant.
“Don’t proceed to think you know what I will, or will not, tolerate. I’ve never made a promise I haven’t kept,” Ethan speaks behind a darkened expression. Then it’s gone without a hint of it ever existing. “But let me remind you, I too made a promise that you’ll die by my hands, Holland. It’s a matter of time before I uphold such a vow.”
A low rumble in his throat sends an intense shiver down my spine, latching on, refusing to let go, leaving promises of death embedded along my back, the one place I now need to watch.
Holland fully faces him. “The day you try will be your last day breathing air.” A moment or two lingers before Ethan advances with a smile so deadly it alone would have killed me.
“Stop…Now is not the time,” Alex demands. His velvet tone is lost in his rising anger. He is serious–no, more than that–threatening them both with a promising squint. If I had a knife, I’d break it trying to cut the surrounding tension.
“Your time will come, Elder. For Death herself can’t protect you from me.” Ethan frowns, adjusting his invasive leer towards me before summoning a sigil and vanishing. My jaw slackens. That decree holds another meaning than what is obvious, and the air sitting deep within my lungs freezes over. Not a hint of doubt is reflected in his oath. Both Holland and I will die by his hands. And if Death interferes, he’ll kill her too.
“If you insist on keeping her here, whatever happens is on your head,” Holland pouts, his face beet red and appearing to swell. With one last look, he storms off and rejoins the other students whose orders are being decided.
Rebecca follows him, leaving the three of us stationed alone, likenothing more than an afterthought. My feelings, Destroyed…Incinerated…Extinct…Demolished. All my eggs were placed in this one basket, banking on receiving magic and hopefully closing this devouring blackhole over my heart. But the thing about hope is, regardless if you believe in it or not, reality is still undefeated. And the reality is I’m going to die before my oath is complete.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks, his tone returning to its velvety smooth origin. But I can only respond using a subtle head shake back and forth, afraid my tears are on the verge of springing free at any moment.
He steps closer, leaning down and ensuring I’m able to witness his features, prompting more pressure as I find my dejected reflection sprawled across his beautiful gray eyes. His dangerous scent finds me once more.
Angie shifts beside him, and if I move even an inch, the embarrassment of him witnessing me cry may be too overwhelming.
“Alex,” she calls, pulling his focus, and I use this moment to wipe away these tears betraying my emotions. “We should leave.” He nods, standing erect and fixing his attention upon me once more.
“Please don’t wipe my memory…or kill me,” I whisper as the pressure once again bares down from tonight’s events.
“No one is laying a finger on you.” He smiles, and that thick coat of ice thaws from the warmth of his words. Finally, I can exhale. “We’ll figure this out. Until then, Angie, can you please escort Kyra to her room and await further instructions.” I’m not entirely sure why I trust him, but I believe he won’t allow my life to end. Not yet at least.
“As you wish. Let’s go, Kyra–Kyra,” Angie nudges, breaking a spell that’s attempting to break me. Without knowing, I’ve been staring into his gaze, captivated by the sparkling galaxy swirling deep within. It’s faint, but there nonetheless, and every cell of my being wants to explore it more. To get lost in absolute space with him.What is happening?“We’re leaving,” she says, grabbing hold of my hand and surrounding us in a luminous light. We vanish.
Chapter 11
Where does this rollercoaster end?
KYRA
“If that assholewould’ve laid a finger on you, by the Gods, I would’ve jammed my fist into his dick hole,” she announces in anger. “I’m good at making things fit.”Excuse me, what?
“Angie, I–”
“I knew he was stubborn.” She continues. “Especially after the death of his fayling, but this…this is unacceptable.” She runs a hand through her undisturbed hair, pacing around my living area. “I can withstand his insults and threats. Trust me. Every chance he gets, he reminds me that I’m beneath him. Hinting my status means nothing. And every fucking time, I still my tongue. Understanding he’s an elder, and I shouldn’t lash out.”
The bite in her tone blends with a repugnant expression that tells me she is withholding something. I attempt to speak, but the idea is swallowed by her continuation. “Like, I go around flaunting this so-called status he insists on mentioning. Who the fuck is he to say you don’t belong here. Since your arrival, he’s been steadfast on proving you’re not a fay. At first, I understood, but now, it’s like he has a secret vendetta. And I’ll kill…”
She bites her tongue, halting whatever comes next, and I witness the knuckles of her hands turning white from balling them. This version of Angie seems like more of a reflection of fear and anger cutting chunks of her heart into pieces, and I remember how I felt about Rosie’s death. That indescribable torture breaking me every morning, while throughout the day, I would piece myself back together, figuring it would be easier not to exist rather than dealing with it.
She inhales and lifts her head, forcing back the tears glossing over her lashes as mine begin swelling. “Did I do something wrong?” Battling my inner demons, I try not to break down.
