Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sage
The whole time I'm recovering after the chaos at Cole's, my thoughts churn in the same loop: What if I hadn't gone to Darius? Then Kayden wouldn't have snapped, then Darlene wouldn't have retaliated, and Winston would still be alive.
What if I'd gone back with Darius the moment he came here? Nothing would've happened. Winston would still be alive.
What if I'd never stayed? If I hadn't dragged my storm here? Winston would still be alive, behind the bar, smiling at customers and humming old tunes.
My eyes ache from tears that won't fall. My chest is locked in a constant vise of guilt and fear and grief.
Eira comes to patch up Jace, her hands gentle. She checks Astrid too, who grumbles she's fine but sits quieter than usual, her eyes sharp and haunted.
Tomas and Donna arrive not long after, the whole group working together to clean the wreckage. No words, just movement. Broken glass swept up. Blood scrubbed away. A silence so heavy it pressed into the walls.
I offer to stay longer, help more, but Jace's voice is flat when he tells us to go. I don't argue. Not after what happened.
The drive back is wordless. Rain slashes against the windows, gray light breaking into shards across the windshield.
I can feel Asher's frustration radiating beside me—the way his hand grips the wheel too tightly, the way his jaw stays clenched.
Frustration about Kayden, about himself, about how nightshade took him out of the fight when we needed him most.
And Kayden… we still don't know where he is.
The what if feels more certain after Darlene's words: Unless you want to lose your second husband as well.
She could've said it just to twist the knife. Or maybe she meant it… Either way, if Kayden's alive, he's a dead vampire for the chaos he set loose.
When we step inside the house, my phone pings. My heart lurches, hope rushing in like a fool.
But it's not Kayden.
Darius.
The attack was unsanctioned. I will pay for the damages and the funeral.
I read it out loud, my voice thin.
Asher crosses his arms, brow furrowed. "Do you think it's true?"
I shrug helplessly. "I can't say for sure. Darlene's always followed his orders. But for Johnny… maybe she broke rank."
"Were they close?"
"Yes, they were. Not romantically. But, you know, they were a team. There's history. He mattered to her."
Asher pinches the bridge of his nose. "What a mess," he mutters.
"I know." My voice is small. I glance down at our clothes, caked with dust, dirt, and streaks of blood. "We should get changed."
He nods. Before either of us moves, the front door slams open.
Kayden steps inside, and he's chaos made flesh: eyes wild, hair tangled, clothes torn to rags.
My first reaction is visceral relief—he's alive. They didn't kill him.
My second hits like fire—pure, unbridled rage.
"Kayden!" My voice cracks sharp as a whip. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
He grins. It's sharp and feral, like blood's still fresh in his mouth. Leaning against the doorframe, he drawls, "Ah. So you've heard about my little adventure. Yes, I went there. And yes, I showed them what happens when they think they can mess with me."
"How could you—" Rage trembles through me, but he cuts me off.
"How could I?" His smirk vanishes, replaced with raw fire as he storms closer. "Me? You're the one who went off for a cozy dinner with your ex-fiancé while we were busy risking everything to keep you safe, sweetheart. How does that work in your head?"
"We had a truce!" I snap, voice breaking.
He snarls, closing the gap. "I don't give a damn about handouts from your ex-lover. And it wasn't just about you. Those first kills? They had it coming. The container, remember? Our delightful first meeting."
His teeth flash, words spilling fast, like he's been rehearsing this in his head, stewing on it for hours. I want to scream at him, but my chest is clamped so tight with pain and fury I can't breathe.
He doesn't stop. "You knew exactly who I was when you married me, so if you don't like the monster you unleashed, maybe you shouldn't have said yes. Maybe now you'll realize you made a mistake, Sage. I am your damn mistake."
Crack.
Kayden's head jerks sideways. He stumbles, crashing into the doorframe with blood on his teeth.
Asher's fist is still raised. His voice, though, is low, controlled steel. "Shut up, Kayden. Winston is dead because of what you did."
Kayden blinks at him, confused.
I force the words out. "Darlene retaliated for your stunt. They hit the bar. And… killed him."
Kayden's gaze snaps to me first, scanning my body like he expects wounds. Then to Asher. It's the first time since he staggered in that I see clarity in his eyes.
"What?" His voice cracks. "Winston?"
"Yes." My throat seizes. "She shot him straight through the heart."
His jaw clenches, his whole body taut with fury. "That bitch—I'll rip them—"
"No." Asher cuts him off. "You've done enough."
Kayden steps forward, blood on his lips, eyes burning. "You think you can boss me around?"
"No," I cut in, my voice tight. "I don't think anyone can control you, Kayden. Least of all you."
I turn before either of them can see my tears, climbing the stairs as they finally spill hot down my cheeks.
What a goddamned mess.