Otto: But you be sick and miserable.
The little butthead had him there. Even though Otto’s bite wouldn’t kill Gage, it didn’t mean that he wouldn’t suffer until his body expelled the poison.
Gage: Katy will be sad.
Otto: But alive.
Gage couldn’t argue with him there. But he knew it would break Katy’s heart if she found out that Otto killed the human women in order to save her life. Would she forgive the little lizard? Yes. She would. But it would still be a wound in their friendship that would take a long time to work through. But what could Gage do? Otto was a free Damarian now that he wasn’t under the scales of Azure. He could do as he pleased, though he would learn the hard way the consequences of desperate actions. Gage prayed that Otto’s attempts would be thwarted. He would just have to trust that Visata already knew the little lennser’s heart and would deal with him. He didn’t text Otto again. There was no point in arguing with him. He was a hard-headed little being.
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Gage carefully extricated himself from Katy’s sleepy grasp. He had one quick task to see to before she woke, one he preferred she notknow about for now. Just a precaution, but his soul would rest easier for having taken it.
After ensuring Katy was still sleeping soundly, well back from the dying fire’s edge, Gage slipped into the tree line. He did not go far, just out of earshot of their makeshift camp. Once sheltered by the forest, he pulled the phone back out. Gage selected Nox’s name and typed out a quick message.
Gage: Headed to Chaos with my mate on Creator’s command. Cannot risk Council interference since we don’t know who is in the viper’s nest with Azure. Will contact again soon.
Only seconds passed before Nox replied.
Nox: Understood. We will await word. Keep her safe, and yourself as well.
Relief lifted some weight from Gage’s shoulders. No matter their differences, or past quarrels, Nox would ensure his absence raised no alarms for now. That was all he needed—time to follow Visata’s urgings unhindered by politics.
Thumb hovering over the button, Gage added one more line before sending it.
Gage: If we do not return, know it was done to protect the innocent.
A dire pledge, but these were grievous times.
Returning the phone to his pocket, Gage headed back to camp just as Katy stirred. Her sleepy smile upon seeing him made his heart constrict. All that mattered in this moment was keeping her gaze free of shadows.
“Hey, you,” she murmured, stretching like a cat. The rising sun gilded her skin and brought out rich chestnut highlights in her hair. Gage drank her in, letting the sight bolster him. As long as she was at his side, he could face anything.
Crouching beside her, Gage stroked back the silken strands from her face. “How are you feeling?”
Katy considered, then smiled. “Good. Strong again.” Her eyes softened. “Thank you.”
Instead of answering, Gage simply pulled her into a fierce embrace. Katy came willingly, arms twining around his neck. Over her shoulder, Gage’s eyes shifted, scanning the woods around them. A solemn promise lingered on his lips, unspoken but etched into his soul.
No matter what they faced or who stood in the way, he would see his mate safe. Gage was no hero, merely a guardian sworn to protect one precious heart—Katy’s, bound now to his own. For her, he would walk any path, even into the blackest abyss, becoming a monster himself. If that made him a fool in others’ eyes, so be it. Her life was worth any price, any sacrifice. Let Visata’s justice come. The Dire Wolf bowed only to the wildness within now. The man was slave to a higher claim—his vowed oath as mate.
Perhaps sensing his somber mood, Katy drew back to study his face with concern. But Gage merely touched his brow to hers, breathing her in. “Ready to continue on?”
“Yep,” she said with a sharp nod. “Let’s do this.”
Zeena jolted awake from a fitful sleep, her heart racing inexplicably. She peered around the darkened motel room,senses straining. But no threat presented itself. Likely just another nightmare, though she couldn’t recall it now.
With a tired sigh, she rose and moved to stand by the grimy window, peering out at the neon strip still bustling even at this late hour. She’d never spent time in the Kingdom of Chaos before Azure banned her from leaving Venom. Now she wandered its garish streets, cloaked in illusion magic, more lost than any face in the crowd.
“Poor Child, why do you linger in shadow?”
Zeena whirled with a gasp at the gentle voice. A figure etched in pure light stood across from her. She dropped to her knees instantly, not daring to look directly at Him.
“Forgive me, Visata,” she whispered, trembling. “I am unworthy of your presence.”
The air stirred around her, infinitely tender. “You are forgiven, Beloved Daughter. No darkness lingers upon your bright spirit now.”
Tears slipped free as Zeena shook her head. “The things I have done…” Sobs choked her. “The things I didn’t stop that I could have. I do not deserve your mercy.”
“You may look at me for this moment. See and hear the truth.”
