Wicked bats and flying monkeys. So much responsibility fell on my shoulders. If only I had the strength of Atlas right now to hold up under the pressure. I had to muster up the determination to stay strong, I justhad to. Diego’s life and free will depended on it.
Gianna stepped forward. “I’m available as well. I’ll stand by as moral support unless I can be of other help.”
I grunted. “I’m going to need it.”
She squeezed my shoulder. “I got your back.”
“Wrong body part,” I replied with a weak smile. A poor attempt at humor was better than contemplating the worst.
She reached behind me and tapped my back. “Better?”
“Yes.”
Zoe flashed us a quizzical look. She didn’t always get Gianna and I being dorky around each other and that was okay. We’d joke in the darkest of times to help hold on to the light.
“Are we ready?” Pandora asked.
I nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Zoe placed her hand on Lucas’s cheek, her expression softening with concern. “Good luck. And fly safe.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll put my seatbelt on,” Lucas flashed his signature amused grin.
Their eyes locked, and they seemed to share some silent communication. In light of recent events, I envied their connection. Diego and I used to be able to communicate that way, saying so much without uttering a word. The last time he looked at me, his blue eyes had blazed with accusation. So different from the way he used to look at me—the way a man looks at the woman he loves.
Would I forever be haunted by that final scathing stare?
Lucas gave Zoe a quick embrace before he walked toward the library door. Before he exited, he turned back. “Nova, I know you can do it.”
I adjusted my weight from one foot to the other and slung one arm across my chest. “Thanks.” If only I had his confidence in me. The high risk involved, and my lack of experience didn’t bode well for Diego’s outcome.
Lucas walked out the door.
“Lucas,” I called after him and stepped forward.
He peered back into the room. “What?”
I wrapped the other arm around myself. “Don’t let her take Diego from us.”
Diego
My head no longer felt like it would explode but still pulsed with a muted throb. Crouched over, I stared at the sand just inches from my face until my vision sharpened and I made out the grains.
The sound of waves hissing as they lapped at the shore sounded more pronounced in the otherwise still night.
I placed one hand on my thigh and pulled myself upright.
“Are you all right?” Someone touched my back.
I turned at Diana’s voice and blinked at her. The strong tang from the ocean behind her reached me. What the hell had happened? Storm clouds swelled my brain, leaving my thoughts murky.
“Yes,” I replied automatically, feeling far from it. “Wait, Sebastian was here.” I turned in a full circle in search of him. “Where did he go?”
She scowled. “Hopefully far away from us.” She exhaled with a huff. “I don’t know how you can stand the stench of something so vile.”
His wolf scent never bothered me, but that wasn’t the issue. I pulled at the wispy bits of conversation floating in my head—the reason he’d followed us. He’d said things about Diana, accusing her of terrible things. Why couldn’t I remember exactly what he’d said?
“I know what will help you,” she said.
