Chapter 33 Xanther
Xanther
Outside, I hail a cab, and Kate’s face goes serious. She doesn’t have to say a word. I know exactly what she’s thinking. And while I certainly wouldn’t mind that kind of evening with her, that’s not where this is headed.
“I’m just making sure you get home,” I say. “You can relax. Just me being noble,” I continue, flashing her my signature smile. “Nothing more. There are no ulterior motives on my part.”
Relief flashes across her face, and she cracks a small smile. She’s involved with Ethan, and from the stories she’s shared in my presence, he’s not deserving of her because she’s pretty incredible. But it’s not my place.
The smile fades just as quickly, her eyes narrowing, her brows drawing together.
Huh. Not what I was expecting.
We hop inside the cab as Kate immediately rattles off directions to the driver. Then she turns her attention to me.
“So when you say nothing more, you mean nothing more? As in, completely devoid of interest?”
She looks downright offended, and I can’t help but laugh. Full on, no holding back laughter, because, well, that just made things rather interesting.
“When I say nothing more, I mean exactly that,” I say, meeting her gaze before leaning in. “It’s not an expectation. It’s reassurance that your safety is my only concern in this moment.”
Then I close the distance just a fraction more in the back of the cramped cab. “What I don’t mean is that there’s no interest. If you’re paying even a little attention, you know there is. Plenty of it.”
Color rises to her cheeks. “It was only a question,” she says quickly. “This is not an invitation, so don’t start imagining things.” She wags a finger with a half-smile. “I just want clarity.”
I smile. “Naturally. I’d expect nothing less from a woman of your caliber than a desire for clarity. In all things.”
She looks at me, eyes unflinching, one eyebrow slightly raised. “Then I’m glad we understand each other, Xan.”
Phenomenal.
When we stop in front of her place, I walk her up to the entrance of the building she calls home. It rises four stories high, its warm brown exterior softened by age. A short fence lines the front, and a set of stone steps lifts you just above street level before the door.
“Have a wonderful night, Kate,” I say, turning down the windy street, heading back the way we came.
“Xan, wait!”
I stop, looking back at her.
“I’d invite you in for a drink or something to eat, but I actually do have an early day tomorrow. And I just think . . .” She falters, searching for the right words. “Well, I’m really not sure that would be—”
“Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me,” I say, walking a little closer, letting the humor drop from my voice. “I sincerely meant it when I said I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
I meet her eyes. “What I said in the cab wasn’t a lie. That was certainly the truth. But like I said, it’s not why I’m here. You’re a great woman. Smart, funny, and I genuinely enjoy being in your company. I just wanted to make sure you were good. Let’s leave it at that.” I flash her a wink.
“Thanks. I like being around you, too,” she says, shifting her weight, the movement just restless enough to give her away despite her effort to appear composed. “And since you’re Luc’s friend, I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of each other. It’ll be nice to get to know you better . . . as friends.”
“I agree, sweetheart. Now get some rest.”
She gives me a small wave, then turns and disappears inside.
After what feels like ages baking in the heat on the outskirts of Aiven’s Ridge, we face the elements head-on. Hot air lashes around us, carrying the earthy tang of brush and soil, kicking sand and dirt into a hazy veil across the sky. Sweat beads on my forehead.
“It appears they are gone,” she says, scanning the ground for any trace they might have left behind.
I don’t think they’re still here either, though I won’t pretend I share her talent for tracking. She’s always been the best at it, and she never hesitates to remind us if she thinks we’ve forgotten.
“Can you see—”
But she’s already tearing through time, her hands yanking outward as she splits a seam in existence.
The air around her erupts into chaos, bending and rippling, violent vibrations loud enough to drop a lesser being to their knees.
But she stands firm through it all. Unflinching.
One of the fiercest Warpers I’ve ever seen.
And the most skilled time distorter of our kind.
Then the moments begin to unwind, like a loop running in reverse. The air rushes backward. Sounds smear and blur. And finally, they come into view. Both of them.
Deserters from Renvae, one of the other sectors of Imperium.
Beings who abandoned their devotion to the realm, who severed their oaths and walked away from everything they were meant to protect.
Now they are Fallens, former Warpers who’ve descended, willing to lie, steal, and kill for power, for prestige, for survival.
I knew of them. We all did. Their names whispered like warnings, the stories of this duo shared like cautionary tales. Villains born not from monsters, but from betrayal. So I already know it would be foolish to underestimate them.
Seraphyne’s eyes widen when she realizes who we’re up against, but the surprise is short-lived. Her gaze hardens as instinct snaps into place. I speak directly into her mind, careful that no one else senses our connection.
We possess the element of surprise, Sera. We should exploit it before they have time to comprehend what has occurred.
I see her move, drawing her blades from her side just as I do the same. I rush in, ready to strike, but she’s already beaten me to it. Damn, she’s quick.
Just as Klayven’s eyes land on us, she strikes, her blade slashing across him just as he disappears.
Shit.
I’m already in front of Jovarek, but he sees my approach and immediately deflects the blow.
I twist with the deflection, letting the force slide past instead of fighting it.
Sparks jump as metal kisses metal, then fade as I wrench my hand free, calling the current up from somewhere deep in my chest. The air thickens, sharp and buzzing, and I thrust my palm forward.
Light erupts, crackling energy slamming into Jovarek and forcing him back a step. He digs in, boots grinding, cloak snapping wildly behind him.
“Clever,” he mutters. “But it seems you still require more training, Warper.”
He spreads his fingers and conjures his own current, pale blue lightning crawling over his skin before lancing toward me. I cross my arms, redirecting it, the force shuddering through me as the bolt splinters and scorches the floor, tearing at my flesh.
Behind him, movement flickers. Klayven reappears just long enough to strike, then vanishes again as she spins, abandoning steel for magic.
Electricity coils around Sera’s hands like it’s alive.
She drives both palms into his chest as he phases back, the blast sending him skidding across the stone, breath torn from his lungs.
Jovarek doesn’t wait. He rushes me, blood staining his coat, blade forgotten, palm glowing.
We collide at close range, our currents crashing together, light flaring so bright it bleaches the world for a heartbeat.
The impact throws us apart, thunder rolling through the field as cracks spiderweb beneath our feet.
I land hard, roll, and come up on one knee, smoke curling from my fingers. Jovarek straightens across from me, his jaw tight, power still snapping along his arms before disappearing.
Across from Sera, Klayven stumbles back into existence, shaking off the last of the charge as she lifts her blades again, then vanishes.
I rise, electricity humming under my skin, weapons ready.
I look at her, proud of the warrior she’s become.
Not just because of my love for her, but because of how much heart she has.
How incredible she is just to watch. And lucky for me, she chose me.
I see her breathing heavily, frustrated that we didn’t overtake them, but relieved the fight is over.
Her eyes are bright, a smile crossing her face as she walks toward me across the field.
Then a shadow rises behind her.
I don’t move fast enough.
Everything slows. Klayven’s blade pierces her back, straight through her heart. Her smile falters as she falls, hands clutching her chest, never even seeing the attack.
A growl tears out of me, but by the time I reach them, he’s gone. I’m left with only moments with her before the gods take her from me.
I wake in a cold sweat on Cece’s couch, unease flooding me. It’s been a long time since the dreams found me like this. These old memories, dragged to the surface by recent events.
I move through the apartment in the dark, lights off, Cece and Luc asleep, and make my way to the kitchen for water. Whiskey would make more sense right now, but she strikes me as more of a wine and margarita kind of woman, so there’s little chance she has any.
My thoughts drift to Seraphyne. To the love we had, and the love we lost. I lift the glass and drink. The water is cool, but it doesn’t provide any real relief.
I know Luc hasn’t brought her up because he sees the parallels. I don’t shy away from speaking her name. I loved her. I always will. She’s part of me, whether I like it or not.
But I won’t let either of us walk that road again.
I won’t survive it twice.
So those bastards better be ready.