“You’ll pay for that,” I gasped.
He merely gave a low laugh, and a second later my feet were on the ground.
“Why, Danica?” Keigan asked. He was covered in dust and grime, and his eyes filled with tears as he turned toward the remains of the building.
“They came for us,” I said. “They know Samael’s weakened, and they attempted to bring the tower down.”
“So instead of bolstering the wards, you decided to blow up our building?”
I gaped at him. “Do you even know what happened to me in that building? Albert knew about Ben and Cara and everyone else, Keigan. I know he did. I almost died. Samael may still die.”
Sadness clouded his face. “You could have come to me. We could have talked about this.”
I didn’t tell him I’d needed the distraction to take what was left of Samael out of the tower. I just shook my head.
“You said you were thinking about leaving the Council. Maybe it’s finally time for you to choose sides.”
His eyes were steady on my face. “Are we at war, Dani?”
The nickname did it, and I had to blink back tears. I pretended it was from the dust in the air.
“You and me? Never. Me and Albert? You bet your ass. He struck when I was away from the tower. While Samael lay dying in his bed. I’ll never forget that, Keigan. Never.”
The look in Keigan’s eyes was like someone close to him had died. Behind me, Vas tensed. His arm hooked around my waist.
“We’ve got to go.”
He launched into the sky before I could say another word.
Not that I had any idea what to say.
We were both silent as Vas flew toward Nathaniel’s territory.
“You’re leaking,” Vas said softly.
I glanced at him. He raised one hand, wiping my tears away.
“I’m messing everything up,” I muttered.
Vas shook his head. “If Samael was awake, he would’ve done the exact same thing. Only he would have killed every mage in the vicinity. You did them a favor.”
“It doesn’t feel like it.”
“It’s difficult. Being in two worlds.”
I glanced at him. His gaze was on the forest below us.
“Does it feel difficult for you?”
The corner of his mouth lifted, but he kept his attention on Nathaniel’s territory.
“I’ve spent time with humans, but I’ve never worked with them. Or for them.”
I nudged him with my elbow and he laughed. “I think it’s difficult for anyone. I think your sister is going to find it the most difficult of all.”
My chest clenched. “I miss her.”
“I know. She’s safe. Our people are watching her.”
