42. XLII
XLII
Spencer
D arkness taunted me, my consciousness fraying at the seams. With the unfolding situation, it would be the worst possible timing to be knocked out cold. I’d freely offer myself as a sacrifice—as soon as I completed all the shit I had to do.
Step one: Kill Camilla.
Step two—well, I hadn’t gotten that far yet, but as it stood, that plan sounded like a good one.
Except I had one measly obstacle I had to overcome before I could make that happen. A teeny, tiny piece of metal that happened to be embedded in my chest.
Ignore the rising fluid in my lungs that threatens to drown me from the inside. Also better to disregard the immense pain that radiates from my beaten, broken form.
Yeah, best not to mention it.
Instead, I thought of the vomit-haired ogre that used a measly hunk of metal to best me.
“That cheating, weak bitch,” I cussed, dreaming of all the ways I could bring about Camilla’s demise. If only my body would listen to my commands. Get up.
A rushed, musical voice interrupted my progress. “Woah, woah, woah. If you move any more, you’re going to bleed out.” Any more? I’d barely shifted a couple of inches.
A familiar force invaded my senses, manipulating the composition of my blood, enhancing my body’s natural healing process.
Emerson’s Variant.
My mind might be fuzzy, but I still had enough working brain cells to know that Echo’s injury was serious—serious enough to require Emerson’s intervention longer than the timeframe they were given. She should be with Echo!
I recoiled from her touch, alarms blaring in my head at the repercussions of her being there, alongside me. “What are you doing here? You’re meant to be with Echo.”
“Don’t,” she commanded. Then, just as fast, her voice lost all gusto, all confidence. “Don’t ask it of me, Spence. Don’t make me go.”
I spat, attempting to rid the metallic taste flooding my mouth.
“Echo,” I croaked. “Tell me. Tell me he’s?—”
My sister blatantly avoided my gaze, and I snapped. “Emerson King, look at me.”
I hadn’t said that name in so long, that the call itself had her orbs bouncing to mine at speed. That’s when I saw it—in the ocean blue of her shimmering eyes, I saw the truth. She needn’t have confirmed further as with two words, she utterly split my soul in half.
“ I’m sorry ,” she whispered. Apology was not a common expression in my family, entirely rare and hard won, expressing the severity of our situation.
The feeling of suffocation pulled me down deeper, blood cresting up my throat to escape my lips in a torrent of curses.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye… Didn’t get to tell him how I feel,” I managed to sputter.
Oblivion lurked closer, ready to submerge me in an ominous sea of black.
No. No. No.
Fuck Camilla, and fuck fate. Echo and I were destined for more than just dying from a measly bullet wound shot by some wannabe gangster. I wanted it all, and I’d get it all—even if I had to steal it back from the devil himself.
My bruised and beaten body screamed in protest as I attempted to push up from the ground until a blonde boulder the exact weight of my sister knocked me back down.
Emerson caged my flailing arms over my chest, refusing to let me go. “I won’t let you kill yourself. You’re not leaving me, you’re not!”
My muscles tensed in one final protest, then my strength dribbled away, as fluid as rainfall.
Tears marred my filthy face as I begged. “Meek, please. I have to tell him… I have to tell hi?—”
“He knows , Spence. I swear, he knows,” Emerson said, her face crumbling on a single sob. The only allowance she let pass before pouring her Variant into my system once more—to save my life.
For the first time ever, I wished she wouldn’t.
ECHO
I could feel my own life force draining from my battered body. I could hear the sound of my failing heartbeat, resigning to my inevitabledeath.
The physical pain surpassed with numb emptiness as self-made hallucinations plagued my last moments. Memories that were long forgotten. Memories that brought immense pain. And memories that would tide me over into eternity.
My breath stilted in my aching lungs as a female figure approached. Is this a hallucination conjured by the very wish of seeing her?
I allowed myself to revile in her visage, absorbing her outline and radiant smile. However, like a bolt of lightning, my brain fired back to reality as the smile that shone down at me was not Spencer, but Camilla.
Despite the obvious limp, she managed to pull off a taunting prowl, sporting the same fucked up sneer she always wore.
She came to stand over me, and acrid vomit threatened to heave from my gut just at the sight of her.
What have I done? What the fuck was I thinking, giving this filth access to my precious girl? Man, I was fucking pathetic.
Defeated and defenceless, my mouth dropped open, willing my body to respond by unleashing my fury, but all that came out was the croak of a dying man.
Camilla laughed as she lifted a syringe between her fingers. “Amp. A valuable resource that will give my Variant the boost I need to take everything from you.” She shifted, pulling the plastic tip of the needle off with her teeth. “I already took your girl’s Variant,” she mocked. “Now, I’ll take yours?—”
Her villain tirade was interrupted by a growling chihuahua that came rocketing out of nowhere. Fran launched himself at Camilla and proceeded to sink his sharp incisors deep into her calf.
Good boy, Fran.
Oh, how Camilla screamed. In the scuffle, her syringe dropped from her clasp, landing next to me. Without hesitation, my trembling fingers latched on to that tiny piece of plastic, stabbed the needle into my thigh and pressed down on the plunger, emptying its contents.
Within seconds, I felt an instant hit of adrenaline, I could feel Amp revive each cell, pulsing through my veins at speed, restoring my energy and rejuvenating my Variant well beyond its normal capacity.
Utilising my one advantage, I opened my lips and let my ability soar forth.
I fucking roared , and the whole underground shook from the sonic boom.
My lungs tore apart from the force, and my throat splintered under the strain. Nevertheless, I did not stop.
With the potent stimulant, I was able to manipulate soundwaves beyond recognition. My resounding echo reached far throughout the Caverns and enhanced my gift enough to differentiate friend from foe. The rams’ skulls the enemy wore with pride gave off a particular signature sound, making their positions flare up like a beacon on a map—of which I took advantage.
My Variant ebbed in flow and range as I attacked all those who were a threat to my Ghost. Khaos members dropped one by one, ears, eyes, and mouths dripping with crimson red as their brains literally melted from my amplified assault.
I left one alive. Camilla, now comatose and unconscious as Fran gnawed on her limbs.
It wasn’t mercy. It was my last gift for Spencer. At least I could give her that—her revenge.
Satisfied, my ability began to wane. But with those final lingering notes, I was able to recognise the flicker of a rapidly beating heart—a healing heart, owned by the one and only person who could ever hold mine.
As my lids drifted closed and my voice cut out, I dreamt that I wouldn't meet her in the afterlife any time soon. That instead, she lived on, even if that meant without me.
My lids pressed against the heavy weight of sleep and light bled into my vision with irritation. I’d recognise my bedroom anywhere, the priceless mattress moulding around my injured body.
Perception soon sharpened, processing Emerson, who slept in a winged armchair beside my bed. Upon instinct, I shifted upward, the movement causing pain to ripple up my frame, slamming me back to the pillows.
Emerson woke with a start, her expression condemning as her gaze roamed the fresh blood staining the bandages wrapped around my chest. She looked like shit, her stark blue eyes more electrifying with the dark circles embedded beneath.
“Spencer?” I croaked, preparing to sit up.
“Shut up,” she quipped. “You’ve ripped your stitches.” Before I could move, Emerson pressed a palm over my sternum—then I felt it. A unique energy seeping into my system, dancing through my bloodstream.
She was healing me. A privilege I didn’t deserve.
I peeled her hand away gently. “I’m fine.” Based on her pallor and the lack of warmth in her skin, Emerson had given up a lot to keep me linked to the land of the living. “Thank you,” I said, with full sincerity.
Emerson gave a slight nod, then slumped back into the chair. And before I could launch into a tirade of questions, she gave me answers.
“Spencer’s safe and well. In the basement, preparing your surprise.” As I lifted a brow, Emerson sighed. “You saved us, Echo. All the Khaos members collapsed to the ground, their brains melting out of their skulls. I’ve never seen anything more magnificent.”
If she wasn’t serious, I probably would have laughed. “Is everyone safe?”
“Everyone who matters.”
“Camilla?”
“Taken care of.” She almost sounded amused.
“Tell me what happened while I got my ass handed to me.”
Emerson gave a tired snicker. “While we were in the arena, Micah and Tanner had found an offshoot of tunnels that Khaos were using to mobilise. They fought their way through, but the passageways were too complex. Psycho says they’re new, so we have no sense of direction. Gannicus has given us full reign in exploring this new territory…at our own risk.”
“ Gannicus …gave you permission?”
“He was able to defeat his uncle and become the rightful ruler of the underground. The Caverns now belong to the Ludus Gannicus. Unsure how long that will last though, depending on Psycho’s ever-changing mood. He may decide to kill his former best friend yet.”
A soft knock caught our attention as Aster popped her head in the door. “Good, you’re awake, If she has to wait any longer, she’s going to lose it.”
Emerson whined. “He’s bleeding again.”
“You want to tell your sister to wait?” Aster asked.
“Fine,” Emerson snapped. “But tell her she can play nurse from now on.”
I laid a hand over hers on the armrest. “You’ve done enough, sister.”
Emerson’s eyes softened, then she stood. “I’m going to sleep. Have fun with your surprise.” She walked out, leaving me with more questions than when I started.
I remained shirtless, only in sweats and trainers as I raced to the basement, ignoring my aching wounds—in too much of a rush to get to Spencer. I didn’t think I could fully accept she was okay until I had proof.
I had to see her with my own eyes, hold her in my arms, fucking smell her on my skin, make sure she was safe.
As the elevator opened, a long-haired brunette with high cheekbones strutted towards me, her expression blank and unreadable. When she came into range, I immediately palmed her cheeks and pressed my lips to hers.
I devoured her mouth, my hands exploring, scoring her flesh, sealing her to me like a second skin.
“ Ghost ,” I reverently muttered, voice all croaky and so damn full of love.
Her lips pursed. “How’d you know it was me?”
“Your soul. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. No matter what face you wear, I’ll recognise you, cause you’re mine.” Pulling back, I traced her cheeks, thumbs scraping across her jawline. “It’s a beautiful facade, sweetheart, but it isn’t mine. Now, give me your face because I’ll never settle for anything less again.”
Spencer faux-huffed, a pleased smile peeking through. I watched in awe as she dropped her disguise, showing me the extent of her injuries.
I pushed into her, cataloguing each bruise, cut and graze with a kiss. “There’s my girl.”
With a bright giddiness, Spencer intertwined our fingers and led me to the torture chamber at the end of the hallway.
Pushing through the door hand in hand, pure delight lit my face up as Spencer yelled, “Surprise!”
Before us, chained to a chair, was a dishevelled Camilla. Her eyes bounced between us, their depths shining with brazen fear and disbelief.
Lapping up Camilla’s desolation like a drug, I turned to Spencer and sucked behind her ear, which she rewarded with a full-body shudder. “Best surprise ever.”
My dick lurched to full throttle as Spencer abruptly bit into the scar scored at the junction of my neck, her teeth aligning perfectly over the white marks of her ownership.
Pulling back, I pressed my forehead to hers, hazel eyes clashing with forest green, an infinite passion igniting in the space between.
“I love you, Ghost .”
“As I love you.” She exhaled. Then, her voice turned serious. “Don’t ever leave me again, Echo. Not even for death.”
“ No one .”