Kate kept close to me as we entered the front room where we all usually congregated for planning or arguments, depending on who was there. A room that, not long ago, I’d been sitting on Phillip’s lap and educating my human friend in the ways of polyamory against my will.
Rayis and Dagon kept close to Aram, prepared for Hera to attack at any moment, but after several rooms, it was evident she wasn’t there—and that no one was left alive.
Quivering, I glanced around. The power in my core throbbed as the bodies of everyone I cared about came into view, one after the other, the vision of each one a dagger to my heart. My nose burned. I tried not to cry, but seeing them like this wasn’t a reality I’d ever wanted to face.
Being a Hunter meant I’d lose, and often, but it never occurred to me I might lose everyone all at once. It never seemed real I’d lose them at all.
Phillip and Sloan were just barely visible where they fell. Cash was slumped against the wall, his head dropped forward with something wrapped tightly in his hands. It was a pouch I’d seen once before. Jo was on the ground, in a pool of blue blood, her favorite daggers still in hand. I’d never seen the woman bleed. I hadn’t been aware she was just like the Nether Royals.
My throat and chest burned, faced with everyone I’d chosen to love now lying dead on the ground. So many people I couldn’t live without, gone. Words would never be enough. I’d never be able to express the loss in a million lifetimes.
“Fuck,” I croaked, breaking to pieces and barely staying upright. My knees buckled, but Kate was already there and so was Aram.
Kate wrapped an arm around my waist and put her head on my shoulder, and Aram caressed my arm as I broke down. Tears fled down my cheeks faster than they ever had before. I didn’twant to face it. I didn’t want to acknowledge what happened, but it was everywhere I looked.
I took a step, but Kate stopped me. Her hand was over my eyes before I understood what was happening, whispering in my ear. “Don’t look anymore, V. You don’t need to see them this way. You’re a motherfucking time monster. You’re not helpless. Only you can bring them back.”
My tears wet her hand as I nodded, for once the weaker of the two. How was Kate always so damn strong? New world, new reality, and she just skipped along like none of it bothered her. She hadn’t been the least surprised by my ability. She didn’t once question it since we left, and now it was with her encouragement that a spark of hope was in my gut.
Aram leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, keeping his mouth next to my ear. “Draw from our bond, little mate, and reverse what thatEishicdid.”
Big was in front of me, his pixie men hovering nervously around him. They still weren’t sure about the Nether Royals. They’d agreed for me.
Big had been pissed off after he was released, but it changed when he saw me undone with my face covered in tears. Now, he was waiting like everyone else. Their quiet support was enough to get my head back in the game.
This wasn’t the end. Kate was right. I was a motherfucking time monster.
I wiped my tears and stepped out. The echo of my power radiated in my core. Just like Jo taught me, I pushed it out and drew on my connection with Aram. It wasn’t clear at first if the world had started to move backwards because nothing moved, but my vampire eyes detected the subtle movement of shadows that seemed to be going backwards.
Thenshewas there.
Rayis growled as Hera appeared out of shadows and moved in reverse. “Holy fucking hell. The hybrid did it. The hag isn’t immune to her power. Thank the bloody moon goddess.”
I released a sigh, my forehead beaded with sweat as I focused on pushing time backward. I’d been terrified she’d break through at any second, that it wouldn’t work on her the way frozen time hadn’t worked on Aram or Serine, but she moved in reverse the entire time.
I watched each one of my group get taken out in excruciating detail. Phillip and Sloan were fierce fighters to the very end. Same with Cash and Jo. I’d never seen them all fight together like they did when she attacked. It didn’t matter how unevenly matched, how easily she knocked them down, they never gave up.
I moved time back as far as I could, but I started to shake from head to toe. My power was waning despite leaning into my bond with Aram. I couldn’t make him vulnerable with Hera still left to fight, so I pulled away from our connection.
Aram brushed my arm with his knuckles and stared at the group, now alive and arguing. Their movements were stilted and backward. “Can you bring them into it?” he asked gently.
I shuddered in place, dripping sweat. “I think, maybe, if I let it move forward, but I don’t know for how long.”
He dropped his mouth to my ear again. “I’m much stronger than you think, little mate. Lean on me. I’ll give you as much of my power as it takes.”
My voice shook as I stayed as focused as I could. “You need to fight Hera. I won’t be—”
For the first time, it was Rayis who chose to speak to me. “We’llfight her, hybrid. I was wrong about you, so I’ll make sure your pets—”
“They’re not pets,” I growled.
“Uh, right. Your mates don’t die this day as an apology,” he amended, watching the scene continue to unfold in reverse.
A snarky quip waited on my tongue, but I opted out of it for once. “Thank you.”
“Hera will die this day,” Dagon drawled in a voice octaves deeper than his brother.
“Glad these beasts are on our side for once,” Big mumbled behind me.
