Chapter 3 #3
Levington’s entire demeanor changes and softens. “If I could go back in time, I’d change a lot of things. But right now, this is our only option for a future. None of us will have one if we don’t do something to stop Talos.”
No matter how much his words pull at every damn heart string inside me, I can’t ask my mates to do this. And they definitely won’t go if Levington asks them. They’re more likely to laugh in his face, laugh some more, and walk away.
Besides, they don’t even want to be here and they sure as hell don’t want to be anywhere near me right now.
I’m still hoping they don’t completely hate me. Maybe they’re just pissed that I didn’t tell them and not completely horrified that I switched bodies like some freak from a horror movie.
I shiver at the thought before staring at Levington.
“Not one of them is the world-saving type. You bring this to them, and they’ll tell you to let the world burn.
” I give him a look. “You will never get them to agree to something like this.” He watches me with a contemplative expression as if he knows something I don’t.
I mean, he probably knows a shit-ton more than I ever will, but the look he’s giving me has all my senses on alert. It takes a minute, but I finally realize what it means.
“You were going to tell them that it was for me, weren’t you?” I ask and he nods.
“And also tell them that you would take their place if they didn’t.”
That little… I guess all Shadow commanders are fucking dickheads.
I open my mouth to tell him exactly how I feel about his little plan when everything he’s said finally hits, making me pause.
This really isn’t just about me and my mates and what I want. It’s about the entire Shadow and human race. Millions of people could die if Talos gets his way. Maybe destroying the Hollow is the only way to end this once and for all. But maybe his plan isn’t the only one that could work.
A small plan of my own starts to form in my mind.
He said I’m a royal after all, and a royal leads in example.
I give him a smile that instantly makes him nervous. “If I go, my mates are more likely to go.”
Possibly. Maybe. I mean, I really can’t be sure right now, but there’s the slimmest chance that they don’t completely hate me and want me dead.
“That was never going to be a real option,” Levington says but I ignore him getting lost in my own thoughts.
It will still have to be their choice in the end. But the more I think about it, the more I want to do it. We won’t have a world to live in if the Hollow spills out.
The Terrigons that slip into the human cities and towns cause so much devastation and pain already that I can’t imagine how bad it would be if hundreds and thousands more and Dark Beasts join them.
It would be hell on earth.
A sliver of warmth fills my chest as if confirming my choice is the right one.
“I’m going,” I tell him, my choice resolute. Cassius said my current powers were only the tip of the iceberg. If I can learn to fully awaken and use them, I should be able to help them on this mission.
Levington’s eyes go wide in horror and shock when he sees how completely serious I am. “Absolutely not. If anything were to happen to you—”
“I can help.”
He releases a harsh breath and shakes his head. “You’re not trained, and we need you safe,” he says forcing the softness into his voice, but I spot the tension in his shoulders and the slight twitch in his left eye.
“My men have been working hard for this. They see it as an honor. And most of the small group going has already been formed. It will be hard enough to introduce your mates to it. There’s no way they’ll accept you too.”
I raise a brow calling his bluff. “You’re the commander, I’m sure you can come up with something.”
“Sena, you need to understand—”
“Cassius said my powers will grow,” I remind him staying firm on my choice.
“They will,” he promises. “But—”
“Then let me help. If destroying the Hollow is the only way to keep the Shadows and the human world safe, then we need to give it our best shot. And I have a feeling we will only get one.”
He hesitates as if he’s actually thinking about it, so I decided to step up my game.
“I’ll train hard and awaken my powers and ensure the Hollow gets destroyed,” I promise. With millions of lives now depending on it, I’ll need to make damn sure of it.
He shakes his head, his eyes becoming more resolved by the minute. “Without you the Shadows have no chance of survival,” he says.
“Without the Hollow gone, no one will survive,” I reply, and he freezes.
Levington releases a harsh breath before narrowing his eyes.
“I’ll make a deal with you. Just like your mates, anyone who joins the team needs to go through a test. They must have skills and abilities that exceed the rest. That also goes for anyone wanting to join this team.
I know your mates will pass with flying colors, but you will also need to pass these tests.
Not only that but you must learn to fly like it’s second nature to you and prove it.
If you don’t by the time the group must go into the Hollow, you will not join them. ”
“Deal,” I tell him, instantly agreeing.
Levington smiles like he knows I just fucked up. But I already knew this wasn’t going to be easy and I can tell from his expression that he assumes I won’t make it. But I’m more than ready to prove to him and everyone else who doubts me wrong.