Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ABBY
M ore war. More death. More darkness.
That’s all that waits for me where the waves meet the shore.
I’m useless here, beneath the water. Unable to defend even myself, never mind those I love.
I’m going to lose them all. Just like Void promised I would. He taunts me with that fact every night. Each time sleep finds me, so too do his incessant reminders that he has the power to beat me.
I’m going mad.
He’s driving me mad.
The warm sensation of Quinn’s hand on my lower back brings me out of my thoughts and back into reality. We follow closely behind Aurelia up the winding staircase and emerge into…
Sunlight.
There’s no darkness waiting to swallow us. No wraiths screaming in shadow, nor the clank of silver armour. This isn’t another one of my nightmares where purple eyes stare out of shadow and ghostly voices whisper menacing threats.
On the mainland stands an army, but it’s not one I recognize as Lunae. There are no horses, no shimmer of metal, and not one of these people seems to hold a weapon.
But that doesn’t make sense. Unless...
“ Kaylee ?” Quinn says, taking a hurried step forward. Aurelia blocks his path with the longs spear she must have grabbed at some point after the warning sounded. I’m not sure where she got it from, but I know she didn’t have it when we were in the council room.
“It could be a trick,” she says, her voice oozing with the same distrust she’d shown us when we first arrived.
“It’s no trick,” Quinn says, gripping the shaft of her spear just below the three-pointed tip and raising it high enough above his head so he can duck under.
“He’s right,” I agree, spotting familiar faces in the crowd. Tess, Fern, Ellis, Seamus. This has to be all of Rosewood. But why would they come here? “Raise the bridge.” I’m not really in a place to be giving orders, but if they came here to escape from danger, they might need help. Not to mention the fact that I’ve missed these people terribly.
Aurelia lets out an exasperated huff and waves a hand in the air. The water ahead of us stirs as the massive white bridge rises up from the waves. Quinn and I waste no time and lurch forward. I nearly slip on the wet surface but catch myself before I feel Quinn’s hand grab hold of my wrist. It’s such a simple gesture, but just knowing he’ll always be there to catch me if ever I can’t catch myself has my heart doing a backflip.
Wide smiles greet us as we reach the shore. Quinn gets there a step before I do and pulls Tess into a hug without so much as a greeting. “Tell me you’re all okay.” His voice is gruff with worry, but it’s coated in the same joy I’m feeling.
“We’re all fine,” Tess says, freeing herself from his embrace and moving for me. I’d almost forgotten how warm she is. Not even just her hugs, but her presence alone carries a warmth that has me feeling more at ease than I have in weeks.
“Hi,” Quinn says, and I don’t need the hint of awkwardness in his tone to know he’s speaking to his sister. Tess releases me from her hug with just enough time for me to see the uncomfortable one-armed half-embrace Quinn and Kaylee share.
It’s been just over a month since we left Rosewood, but Kaylee has changed so much in that time. She’s nowhere near as twitchy as she was when they found her. Her hair has started growing back, her skin is clearer, her eyes are brighter, and she’s begun to fill out. Tess has been keeping her well fed, and it shows in all the best ways. The nervous energy she carried with her is all but gone now, and in its place is the same resolve I often see in her brother.
“What are you all doing here?” Quinn asks before I can.
Aurelia has caught up with us, her lips pressed into a hard line. “I was wondering the same thing,” she mutters, but Kaylee pays her no mind.
“We are needed here.” She may look healthier, but her answers are just as cryptic as ever. “And don’t worry. Everyone shifts at will now and can maintain control.”
They what? I guess Jade’s sacrifice affected more than just us, but if Quinn’s people have the power to choose their form and control it, does that mean Quinn can, too?
“Did your visions come back?” There’s a wavering the Quinn’s voice as he asks the question that seems misplaced.
“No. I’m just following the path.”
Definitely as cryptic as ever. I know from experience growing up with Arabella that you shouldn’t question a seer. Unless you have reason to believe they would lie to you, but Kaylee hasn’t steered us wrong yet. If she says they’re needed here, then they’re needed here. I’m just not so sure Aurelia and the other sirens will agree.
As if right on cue, a voice sounds from somewhere in the water. “This has gone too far!” It’s followed by sounds of agreement.
“Sierra’s son is bad enough,” another agrees. “You cannot expect us to shelter all of the betrayers!”
I wasn’t expecting Quinn’s people to show up here at all, but if I had, this is probably going better than it could have. I mean, no one has been murdered yet, so that’s something.
Aurelia raises a hand for silence as sounds of agreement rise above the crashing of waves on the white stone bridge and bird caws. The crowd quiets, but it has nothing to do with Aurelia’s order. Erwyn leaps out of the water and joins us on the shore. “Another of Sierra’s children,” he growls, hard eyes narrowed on Kaylee.
Quinn moves to place himself between them, but Kaylee brushes him aside and places herself directly in front of Erwyn. He towers over her, and even though this is the healthiest I have seen her, he looks like he could snap her in half.
“So much anger, Erwyn. Even now.”
His features flicker only a moment before the hardness remains. “You know nothing about me.”
Her eyes seem to shimmer. “I know more than you think. You’re on a dangerous path. One that could lead to—”
He points a finger at her, effectively cutting her off. “Not another word.” He speaks slowly and menacingly. “I have been poisoned by prophesies before.”
“That was your choice.”
For just a moment, I fear he might actually raise a hand to her—not that Quinn would let him live that long—but instead he turns away and marches back into the water, his legs taking the shape of blue and gold fins once the water reaches his thighs.
“Are you okay?” Quinn asks her, though it’s not concern in his voice. It’s pride. And I don’t blame him. She handled herself better against Erwyn than Quinn did. At least this time, no blood was drawn. Kaylee has the unfair advantage of foresight, though. Even if she can’t use her abilities now, she knew his name. That means she must have seen visions of him—and likely of all the sirens.
Kaylee’s lips turn up in a smirk before answering her brother. “I will be. Once I speak with my mate.”
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up in my chest as Quinn deflates at her words. It seems Rhett was right all along. Maybe that’s why they’re here. Kaylee couldn’t stay away, no matter how hard she tried. And she did try. I think back to all the times she and Rhett had spoken, and all the times she’d pulled away from him when he got too close to touching her. There’s no exact science to what snaps a mating bond into place, but for Quinn and I, it was the kiss we’d shared when we’d chosen each other.
Quinn sighs. “I was hoping the dragon was wrong.”
He’s stalling because the last thing he wants to do is bring Kaylee to Rhett. To spare him, I slip between them and link my arm with Kaylee’s. “I’d be happy to take you to him,” I announce, flashing the widest of smiles at Quinn.
‘Stop it,’ he mutters, though I know he doesn’t mean it. Despite his discomfort with this, I know he wants Kaylee to be happy and there’s not a doubt in anyone’s mind that Rhett will accept her. To be honest, I kind of want to be nosy and see the look on his face when he finds out we’re not actually being slaughtered up here while he guards Jade.
A chill runs down my spine at the memory of what happened with him. I hadn’t forgotten, of course, but it moved to the very back of my mind. If Kaylee noticed my sudden discomfort, she doesn’t acknowledge it.
“If it’s alright with you,” Quinn says, aloud this time. “I’ll stay up here.” He eyes the gathered sirens that still stare at his people with suspicion.
“That will be best,” Aurelia agrees. “I am not sure how many sirens will help, but we can repair as many of the islands for them as possible.”
“You are letting them stay?” someone cries out in disgust.
“We have no use for the ruins. Their presence will not affect us.” I doubt that’s true, but this time no one argues. As if they’re all thinking the same thing, every single siren, apart from Aurelia, disappears beneath the waves in an apparent refusal of taking part in any activity that will aid the people they call betrayers.
“We can manage,” Quinn tells her. “You don’t have to stay.” I don’t think there’s a person here who doesn’t realize that he’s giving her an out, so she doesn’t divide herself even more from her people.
I expected Aurelia to turn away, but instead, her eyes slide over the tired travellers. “You forget, some of these faces are familiar to me.”
Kaylee tugs me away from the group, so I don’t hear the end of that conversation, but it seems as if Aurelia has made her choice. I just hope she doesn’t come to regret it. She’s already done so much for us and Quinn’s aunt or not. This can’t be easy for her. Some of Rosewood’s people came from Marein, while some came from Lunae. It only just occurs to me that I never asked who was who. It never mattered. Siren, human, moon-worshipper or Sealander. They were all just people to me, and even now, that’s exactly how I see them.
Kaylee seems to know exactly where she’s going, so I allow her to lead the way to the whirlpool’s hidden staircase. I have no idea how detailed her visions are, but considering how confident she is in her sense of direction, I can only imagine she’s had quite a few of this place. She spent five long years of her life locked away beneath Lunae, and it’s more than likely that her visions were her only escape. If I were her, I would have lived in them for as long as I could if it meant a reprieve from the suffering. How much of that time was spent exploring these glass halls? She’s already admitted to keeping an eye on Quinn, but what else was she watching?
And who else?
“Did he live?” she asks, just as we get to the base of the massive spiral staircase and take our first steps into the underwater world of glass and stone.
I’m surprised by the question. I already told her I was taking her to Rhett, so why would she ask if he survived? “He did, thanks to your warning. He was hit with two arrows, but—”
“Not Rhett. Jade.”
My feet lock into place, entirely unwilling to take another step. My sudden halt forces her to stop and emotionless eyes meet mine. “Jade?” I can barely get the name out and have to swallow my rising panic before continuing. “I thought Rhett was your—”
“Jade is not my mate,” she cuts me off again with an exasperated huff.
I breathe an audible sigh of relief and allow her to pull me onward. “Then why are we talking about him?” Gods, she almost stopped my heart. Poor Rhett would have been devastated.
“His future was clouded. Weaving his fate was difficult.”
Weaving his fate? Quinn told me that his grandmother was a weaver and what that meant, but I had no idea that Kaylee inherited that ability. How many times had she altered our paths to bring us to this exact moment? “He’s alive, though who knows how long that will last…” I let the sentence trail off because this is the first time I’ve spoken those words aloud. Jade might not survive this.
“Has he not recovered?” Her question is casual, but there’s a hint of something else there now.
“We tried to wake him, but it didn’t go well. There have been suggestions of…” It seems I’m unable to finish that sentence either.
“I see,” she says, the words clipped. “So we’re on that path.”
I want to ask for more, but something about her tone keeps me silent. When we arrive at the infirmary, we find it empty, save for the two healers and the two injured sirens who still occupy their beds. The old woman who agreed that murdering Jade was the best option narrows her eyes when she sees us, but I ignore her and march straight for the door where I know we’ll find Rhett. I don’t want to see Jade again so soon, but I’ve been selfish long enough.
“He’s in here,” I say, though I’m certain she already knows.
Kaylee unhooks her arm from mine and turns the wheel that opens the door. Her face illuminates with the light of the glowing algae as she enters ahead of me. My feet move on their own, following her inside just in case Rhett waits with a blade poised to kill anyone who enters. We really should have knocked first.
Just as I expected, Rhett’s panicked words come in a flurry. “Get back! Don’t make me kill you!” I hear splashing and realize he’s the only one in here, so he has to hold Jade afloat or risk him accidentally drowning. He didn’t exactly think this protection detail through, but at least we’re not here to hurt anyone.
“Rhett,” I say his name, though my voice doesn’t sound soothing. “Relax. I have a gift for you.”
The light is dim in here and I can just make out the form of Jade in the water and Rhett beside him, his blade reflecting blue light. The room brightens and I realize he’d been covering much of the algae with a blanket to keep this room dark—likely to surprise an unsuspecting attacker. Smart, but not entirely effective.
His face pales when he sees us, and he has to clear his voice to regain his words. “What are you doing here?”
I don’t answer because he’s not speaking to me. His eyes lock onto the girl beside me as if he’s seeing colour for the first time after spending years in a world of grey. He takes a mindless step forward, as if drawn to her. As he does, Jade sinks deeper into the pool, his head near dipping under completely.
I know what I have to do, and take a steadying breath before wading into the water and slipping my hands beneath Jade’s back. “I’ve got him.” This is the first time I’ve done this for Jade, but I should have been doing it from the start.
Rhett runs with the opportunity and clumsily lumbers out of the pool, nearly splashing Kaylee and definitely splashing me. He stops short just in front of her, hand raised but hesitant, as if he remembers how she always avoids his touch. If I noticed, of course he did too.
When she reaches for him, he stands completely still. Her fingers brush against the fabric of his shirt, unclasping the buttons and then pulling it down to reveal a circular scar on his shoulder. He lifts the bottom of his shirt to reveal the second hole.
“Turn your back to the flameless fire,” he says, repeating the words that lead to his injuries.
“I’m sorry. It was the only way you both would live.”
“I know. Jade said he would have died if you hadn’t warned us.”
She shakes her head. “Not Jade. You and Quinn. Jade had to live long enough to sacrifice himself for my brother. And you… You had to live for me.”
He sucks in a breath. “I wasn’t wrong, was I?”
“You weren’t wrong.”
“Then why—”
She puts a finger up and holds it just above his lips, only just not touching him. “I have seen so many futures. Followed so many paths. In every path where we were bonded, I would not have let you go.”
The weight of those words hit me square in the chest. If she and Rhett were bonded, Quinn would have died. She didn’t deny her connection to Rhett for her own sake. She did it to save her brother, and by extension, me. I can’t help but wonder if that’s why she almost left Rosewood when Imelda came to collect her. She only stayed because Rhett asked her to. Leaving would have made things easier on them both, but she couldn’t refuse him when it mattered.
It feels wrong to watch them, but I can’t bring myself to look away. Thank the Gods Quinn doesn’t have to witness this. Not even for his sake, but for theirs. They deserve this moment.
“What now?” Rhett asks, his voice gruff.
“All it takes is a touch. One single touch and everything will change.”
“Then touch me.” I can tell he wants to close the minuscule distance between them, but he locks himself in place. This is her choice to make because he’s already decided.
She doesn’t move. “There are more dark paths if we are bonded.”
“I don’t care. Touch me.” He holds out a hand. It trembles ever so slightly.
She swallows. “You’re more likely to die if we are bonded.”
“And I’ll never truly live if we aren’t. Touch me .” That last sentence was a whispered plea.
Kaylee hesitates for just a moment before placing her hand in Rhett’s. They stay like that, frozen in time, and I know they’re feeling what Quinn and I felt when our bond reforged. All at once, Rhett’s hand tightens around hers and he pulls her against him, their lips finally connecting for that first blissful moment.
I force my eyes away, giving them as much privacy in this moment as I can. I scan the walls, searching for something to focus on that isn’t the newly bonded couple, but there’s nothing but rock and glass and algae.
My gaze slips down to the man in my arms and a shriek rips through me when I find his eyes open and watching me. The green in them has been entirely replaced with red.
I take a panicked step back, and Jade slips from my grasp. His head dips beneath the water for only a moment before he bursts upright and stands on his own. I back away to where Kaylee and Rhett are watching. Rhett looks even more horrified than I feel, but Kaylee wears a pained expression. She’s seen this. I’m sure of it. And more than that, she knew this was coming.
“How… Touching ,” Jade says, laughing at his joke. Only it’s not his joke. The voice that escaped through his parted lips was not only female…
It wasn’t human.