Rory doesn’t crack a smile, doesn’t move a muscle. Her head is slightly tipped down, and her eyes bore right through us.
“It’s time, Skyla.” Her lips move like a marionette’s as her voice swims over to me like a disembodied spirit.
“Time for what?” I call out, unafraid, undeterred.
“For everything.” Her voice echoes unnaturally just the way Ezrina’s used to. “For the end. And for the beginning. You can thank me later.” The fog wraps around her like a coat, and soon she’s no more.
“I don’t want to thank you for anything,” I call out. “Stay out of my business. In fact, stay out of this world!” I shout out to the fog as if the message was intended for it to begin with.
“The end and the beginning.” Logan pulls me close. “Why am I terrified to find out what she thinks we’ll need to thank her for?”
“Because you’re a wise man, Logan Oliver. A very wise man.”
Logan and I hold one another, and I take in the scent of his warm cologne, of the skin on his neck, of the feel of his shirt against my cheek. The rain picks up, and I take him by the hand and start for the house, but Logan reels me back.
“Just another minute.” Logan warms his body to mine and we dance. Logan twirls me through the rain as the water bounces off our bodies, our hair, and our undeterred smiles.
You are magic, Logan Oliver, I say as I wrap my arms around him tightly.
Magic. He lands his forehead to mine as we sway in the driving rain.We may have met in the eye of a storm we knew nothing about, but we will persevere. The sky, the waters, the land will part for us, and we will walk through these troubles unscathed—and we’ll bring the whole damn world with us.
Spoken like the lion you are.
He gives a somber nod.I will be whatever, whoever you need me to be. For our people. My family.
Thank you. I close my eyes and try to envision a peaceful world, one in which Logan and I can breathe without the weight of the world on our shoulders, but the visual is just out of my grasp. For now.
It will come.
He lands a kiss to my lips.It will.
The gathering place at Nicholas Haver’s estate is lit up like a paper lantern. Gage sent out invites to the leaders of the Factions and any Nephilim in the area who wanted to join the festivities. Our gatherings have been small as of late, no thanks to Gage’s many schemes to have our people turned over to the government, and now with what might as well be a plague circulating, I’m sure the numbers will dwindle even more.
Logan and I enter the facility to find Gage already standing at the front of the room chatting with Emma and Barron. I know for a fact not a single Landon deemed this event important enough to attend.
Chloe pops up between Logan and me.
“Hey, hey.” She butts her shoulder to mine. “The gang’s all here.”
No sooner does Chloe spew those words than Emma rolls her eyes at the sight of us.
“Emma, Barron.” Chloe nods their way as we come upon them. “Well, if it isn’t your nefarious son. Let me guess, Gage. You’ve sprinkled the periphery with gasoline and you plan on hosting the world’s biggest Nephilim bonfire?” She glances to Emma. “Don’t you worry your orange little head about it. I’m sure he’s arranged a clause in his wicked scheme that exempts the one who bore him. I’m sorry, Barron, but I’m not so sure about your fate.”
“I hate to agree with Chloe, but I’m right there with her on this one,” I say. “Barron, you had better watch your back.”
Logan gives a silent laugh. “Yes, well, we’ve seen how Gage has treated his wives. I think it’s safe to say Emma is the only woman he cares about.” He gives my hand a squeeze.I’m all for getting under his skin tonight. Maybe that will shake him out of his stupor.
Gage frowns over at him. “Nice to see you all. Chloe”—he nods her way—“I’m sure you’ll find great interest in what we’ll be discussing.”
I can’t help but scoff at the thought. “And I take it Logan and I won’t?”
“No.” His jaw tenses. “I don’t think you will.”
Emma chortles at the thought. “Well, whatever you’re selling, I’m buying by the drove. Unlike Chloe, and most likely Skyla, I know for a fact you are anything but wicked. Only good has ever beamed from you, like the light from Heaven itself.”
Barron ticks his head at the thought. “I once believed that myself. If you’ll excuse me, I’d best take a seat. I think I’m going to need it.”
He takes off and Emma gasps at his words as she trails along. “Now, Barron, why do you insist on being so negative?”
