EIGHTY-FIVE
WILLOW
The contraction in my chest is unlike anything I’ve ever felt in our Tether. It steals my breath away, and for a second, I think I’m having a panic attack.
“Something’s wrong,” I whisper. I try not to startle as Minka and Maia rest their heads on my lap.
“What are you talking about?” Juniper whispers back.
Everyone is either resting or sleeping, or at least trying to, but we hear the booming above, the war cries even from here.
“It’s Caz. I can feel heartache. He’s devastated right now.” My eyes flick to hers, and it doesn’t take very long for her mouth to fall open.
“Tap in with him,” she insists. “Ask him what’s happened.”
“I can’t, Juniper. He has me guarded from it all. He doesn’t want me hearing any of what’s going on.”
“Try,” she pleads. Then she cuts her eyes to Maeve who has fallen asleep due to the elixirs.
I sigh and close my eyes, tapping in with Caz. It takes me some time, but when I finally hear hollers, shouting, grunts and screeches, I know I’m in.
And then I smell an overwhelming coppery scent.
Blood.
Caz?
Willow…no. I—my mind is too weak. You shouldn’t be here.
Caz, what happened?
It’s…it’s Rowan.
My heart immediately drops, and my eyes pop open again. Heat builds behind my eyes. Juniper stares right at me, and as if she can hear him herself, she cups her mouth.
He’s dead, Willow . I couldn’t save him.