NINETY-TWO
CAZ
I wish I had the words to describe how I feel right now.
On one hand, I should feel victorious. We’ve defeated Selah, and the creatures she’s created are gone.
No one can infiltrate our minds anymore.
No one is coming after us and trying to ruin all we stand for.
For now, we’re okay.
Now, it’s just me and Willow…though we’re nothing like we used to be. It’s shocking, really, the power I feel charging through my blood.
I thought I was strong before, but what I feel now is beyond anything I can comprehend. Not only do I have Yuri’s power, but I now have Selah’s coursing through me. Yuri tells me he’s transforming her energy and rinsing away the bad.
Regardless, it almost feels too much. One man shouldn’t possess so much power.
All the survivors have made it to the shores of Blackwater. Most have stripped out of their armor to stare absently at the rippling black ocean.
The wounded are being tended to by the Mythics, and some are guzzling water like their life depends on it.
The women and children from the bunker appeared not too long ago, wary as they stepped outside. When I see Minka and Maia, I feel a snag in my chest. Their mother is gone, and the pain they’ll consume will be like no other.
I make my way toward them, and their eyes light up when they spot me. But when they see the pulsing blue light in my palm, it’s like they know.
They know exactly what has happened.
“Where’s Mum?” Minka demands. Her voice is strong, but her bottom lip trembles.
Willow meets at my side and I glance at her, unsure how to answer.
“Is she dead?” Maia asks in a smaller voice. Her eyes shimmer in the gray midday light.
“I’m afraid so.” I press my lips and drop my gaze.
“You’re lying!” Minka shouts. “She can’t die. She’s a Regal!”
When I look up again, Minka’s tears race down her cheeks. Maia looks from me to Willow before breaking down in a sob. She throws her face into Carra’s stomach, and Carra rubs her back, but her eyes are just as wet.
Footsteps crunch along the sand, and Milandra appears with Asteria. Both have fresh bruises and scars. Asteria has a bandaged ear, and a deep cut is on Milandra’s upper arm. I shouldn’t be surprised that Milandra hasn’t addressed her wounds yet.
I rise to my feet and open my palm to them. Their eyes drop to the glowing seed, and for the first time in my life, I see Milandra’s eyes water.
“Did she leave instruction?” Milandra asks, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
“Hassha spoke to me days ago about this. She told me her plans. The seed will be split between the twins, and you will guide the tribe until the girls are old enough to lead.”
Her eyes fall to my hand again, and she doesn’t blink. “She risked her entire life for you.” Her nostrils flare, and the grip around the handle of her spear tightens. “ You have the power now, so you will guide them. You’ll come to Kessel weekly to train them, teach them how to harness their energy, and it will be my duty to protect them.”
“If that’s what you need from me, so be it. I’ll split the seed and give it to them. You can take them away from everyone else to digest it if you want.”
With a nod, Milandra gives me her back and stares at the ocean. I don’t miss the way her body shudders.
Sighing, I split the seed in half and hand a piece each to the twins. They stare at it as it rests in their palms, eyes full of tears, little bodies shaking with grief.
“You should know, girls, that she was very proud of you,” I tell them. “And with this, she’ll always be here. She’ll be in you, and she’ll guide you. Understand?”
They nod in unison. When they close their hands around their halves, Carra brings them close and makes her way to Milandra.
None of the older women look back, but the twins do. They stare at me, as if searching for an answer to questions they don’t even know how to ask.
But they’re strong. They’ll be all right.
That’s a lot more than I can say for my brother Rowan.