10. Aryn #2
“Of course not,” I argue. “Half of the breakthroughs from our research were never reported. We didn’t even dare discuss most of them with the other scientists. Most of us hated it there, loathed those in charge, but there was always the risk someone was loyal.”
Cato’s face relaxes as he nods. “What would you have done if you’d figured it out?”
“I would’ve done… this.”
“Found a bunch of mates hitchhiking on the side of the road and used them to go home?” Cameron asks in an attempt at lightheartedness.
A smile tilts my lips despite the somber conversation. “More or less. Does that make me selfish?” I ask, risking a glance at Cato. “To want to go home so badly that I’d leave this world in tatters?”
“No,” Cato says quietly. He traces the scarred skin on his neck with a vulnerability I’ve never seen on him. “If that makes you selfish, then I’m the same. If there was a way to go back, I’d do it too… without a second thought to the rest of the world.”
In that moment, I want to reach for him so badly I have to ball my fists to stop myself. His eyes are heavy as his throat bobs in a swallow, and there’s no cocky smirk in place when he lifts his gaze to meet mine.
Again, I want to ask him what happened to him. What the world has done to harden him, and what motivates him to fight so hard. Before I have the chance, Sovran twists the key in the ignition, and the silence rings loud in my ears as the engine dies.
He stares at the space where the rift waits for us. “It is time.”
Cato hardens again, his determination becoming a shield that pulls that brief vulnerability from his body and leaves it behind like a shed skin.
He nods at me—not soft in the way he just was, but as a warrior on a mission.
I nod back, then step out into the cloudy afternoon.
The drizzle has died off, leaving behind a humidity so thick it nearly chokes us.
The six of us join Sovran at the back of the van.
He pulls out our packs and distributes them, then drops the box filled with our cold-weather gear.
Shorts and lightweight t-shirts are shed and replaced by long underwear and thick furs.
Sweat immediately builds on my skin, and both Cameron and Cato have already flushed deep pink.
“We won’t linger in this heat,” Sovran says as we step through the field to the location of the rift. “You have the maps I’ve provided?”
“I have them,” Ronan confirms.
Sovran nods. “Use them in reference only. My knowledge of the landscapes is absolute, but the information I have is old. New cities and villages may have formed, and old ones may no longer stand.” He stops to look at each of us individually.
“I do not need to stress to you how important this is. It is the only way forward. I have seen it.”
“Yeah, wish you could see a few more details,” Cameron mutters. “Would be really handy.”
“It would,” Sovran agrees, either not catching the sarcasm or choosing to ignore it. “Take care of yourselves and look out for each other.”
“What happens when we return?” Ronan asks.
“There will be a vehicle waiting in the woods. I will send scouts every few days to check on it and make sure all is ready for you.”
Taryn looks around at everyone, then at the dead space in front of us that holds the opening to another world. “How do we do this?”
“We gotta hold hands or something?” Cameron asks. “Seems like that’s always how magic happens in books.”
Sovran chuckles softly. “You may hold hands if you’d like, though it isn’t required. Think of where you want to go. Think of Elyra.”
“But I’ve never been there,” Lillith says. “I was born here.”
“That doesn’t matter. In your heart of hearts, it is your home. Taryn, Cameron—you have never been there either, but you know it. Think of the way your mate calls to you. Reach into the deepest parts of yourself and find that connection that joins you.”
Despite myself, I close my eyes and picture home. For a moment I let the present fall away, sinking into the pull of the place I’ve been fighting to return to since the day I first stepped foot on this soil.
“Find it,” Sovran encourages softly, “and follow it. Your heart won’t lead you astray.”
A quiet gasp comes from my left. When I open my eyes, there’s a ripple in the air before us.
It wobbles and shifts like a reflection in fast-moving water, but it doesn’t stay calm for long.
The waves stagger into something unnatural, forming wispy hands and invisible fingers that reach for us like they might read our purpose.
“That’s it,” Sovran says, his voice awed. “Keep going. Follow it home.”
My heart batters itself against my ribs, no better than a wild animal clawing its way free. I scream the plea inside my head.
Home.
Please, take me home.
My head snaps to the side to find Cato’s eyes locked on mine.
He’s gorgeous like this—wild and exhilarated, without an ounce of fear on his face.
Another rush of something inexplicably familiar surges through my veins.
It makes the air buzz and crackle around us until the hair on my arms stands on end.
“One more pull,” Sovran begs, voice thick with emotion. “Take what is rightfully yours.”
My ears ring as voices cry out in shock, but I can’t distinguish one from the next.
The magic slams into me like a living current, arching my spine and forcing a strangled sound from my throat as my knees buckle.
Every nerve ignites at once—burning, pulling, humming—until I feel like I might come apart at the seams. My vision whites out for a heartbeat, and my fingers dig hard into my own thighs just to stay upright.
Then, all at once, the pressure releases.
Before us is an opening.
Shimmering. Shifting. But solid and real.
A cold breeze slips through, carrying the scent of home so achingly familiar that tears prick my eyes. My heart is still pounding, still galloping in my chest. It wants to go so badly I’m surprised it hasn’t thrown itself free to crawl through the opening, the rest of me be damned.
“Go,” Sovran says, voice full of quiet wonder. “You must go quickly.”
“Sovran—” I start.
He shakes his head. “Go. We will meet again. I am sure of it.”
“Have you seen it?” Ronan asks, staring at the faint red hues glowing from the other side.
“I see very little these days,” Sovran answers softly. “But I am sure. It has to be you, and it has to be now. You must go, my friends.”
“Khraeth hív, sén magam neki,” I whisper.
Home is calling, and I surrender to her.
I take a step forward, goosebumps rising against the heat burning off my skin.
One more.
Another.
I glance over my shoulder and meet Cato’s warm brown eyes. “I’ve got your back,” he says, softly enough that only I hear.
I nod once.
Take a deep breath.
And step forward into darkness.