Chapter 19 #3
Then she was falling, crashing to the ground hard enough to feel it in all her bones.
She heard rips as various portions of her clothing tore on the sharp rubble scattered about, and she’d bitten her tongue so hard, she spat blood as she glared at Lev walking towards her.
Her clothing was soaked, weighing her down, and the boots Tessa had given her were filled with water.
Curling her fingers into the rocks and dirt, she felt tree roots shuddering as she called them to her, the ground shaking.
“Don’t,” Lev snarled, a dagger of ice pressing to her throat. “I told you I would have to stop you if you tried to escape.”
“And I told you that you could try,” she replied, her voice a little hoarse.
And before he could say anything else, the roots exploded from the ground.
Four found Lev, and he was on his back before he could fully process what was happening.
The rest wound around her, soaking up some of the water from her coat and pants as they placed her gently on her feet.
A single vine unfurled, slithering up like a snake to present the dagger she’d dropped at some point, and she took the hilt in her hand.
Taking the few steps to his side, she stared down at Lev. His eyes were hard as he struggled against the tree roots, but not even his ice weapons could slice through them.
She lowered to a crouch, the roots pulling back enough to reveal a space on his chest.
Directly over his heart.
“Do it then,” Lev gritted out. “What was it you said? None of us really care about survival anyway?”
“I…” Her fingers tightened, the dagger still at her side.
“Maya will punish me for losing you,” he said, his head dropping back in defeat.
“Would you prefer that? Would you prefer to live and face her wrath?” she asked, her tone as flat and cold as the Witches of the Underground.
His jaw flexed as he ground his teeth, and it was answer enough. None of them could ask for death. None of them could end their own misery. And she was already fucked if caught, so what would it matter if she added more to her punishment?
“You could come with us,” Eviana said, not sure where the words had come from or why she was offering it.
“No, I can’t,” he said, his voice thick. “We both know it. However you’re keeping Valter from finding you won’t work. I would be a beacon right to you, Eviana. I don’t know what you’re doing, but I meant what I said. I don’t want any part of it.”
Eviana nodded, looking around at the destruction. At the shadows that were only growing. She was wasting time. Another sentinel could appear at any moment, and she’d used so much of her power too fast. They were out in the open for anyone to see, anyone to find.
She heard the rocks crunching under boots, saw the mountain cat in her periphery.
Then a large hand wrapped around the one that gripped the dagger, and Lange lowered down beside her.
They hadn’t left her, and that realization made her feel something.
Something that was too much with what she was facing.
“You are sure about this?” Lange asked, his voice low and soft.
She didn’t know if he was asking her or Lev, but they both nodded.
Corbin sat, tail switching and keen eyes observing, as Lange lifted her hand and guided it, the blade hovering over that cleared spot on Lev’s chest. It would still be her hand that did it.
That gave Lev mercy. Her hand that spilled his blood, not the Fae male’s.
They wouldn’t be punished because it was her giving this to someone as tired and as tortured as she was.
Who understood that to continue living this life wasn’t living at all.
The dagger came down.
It sliced through flesh and muscle and bone.
And the only sign of pain was a small wince from Lev, because even in death, they knew better than to show emotion. Than to betray themselves or their Masters.
Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth as Lev whispered, “Thank you, Eviana.”
And then his eyes closed forever, and her eyes fell closed too, wetness clinging to her lashes.
The last time she’d cried was the day they’d taken something small and innocent from her.
“We have to go,” Lange said too gently for someone that had just helped end a life.
Eviana nodded, yanking the dagger back to herself. Lange took it from her hand, wiping the blade on Lev’s coat before handing it back to her. She shoved it down the side of her boot before standing.
“I’m sorry,” Lange said when she turned away.
“Don’t be,” she replied coldly. “Let’s go.”
They were silent as they hurried to the trees, slipping into the Dreamlock Woods. They couldn’t go too deep yet, but they needed to get deep enough that they’d be nearly impossible to find.
Somewhere along the way, Lange had swiped the pack he’d dropped. It was slung over one shoulder, and Corbin stayed in his mountain cat form for whatever reason. She didn’t have it in her to wonder right now.
So no one spoke.
No one spoke when she finally stopped, too tired to continue. No one spoke as they coaxed a small fire to life, eating protein bars and apples. No one spoke when she curled up on her side to sleep. No one spoke, but they stayed closer than they ever had before.
Corbin lay down near her head, and Lange stretched out beside her, his head resting against Corbin’s flank. He wasn’t touching her, but she could feel his body heat. Inches away, the comfort was an offering if she chose to take it.
She didn’t.