He shifted as if to get more comfortable, and I saw it.
One of his wings was damaged. Twisted in a way that made it lie awkwardly against his body. I doubted he could fly. Our eyes met once more, and his golden orbs held sorrow and acceptance. He would never take to the skies like the rest of his brothers and sisters. He was forced to run after them, trailing them by scent and often only arriving when they were readying to leave once more.
I blinked. How did I know that? Was he showing me his reality in my mind?
The other griffins began to spread their wings. One by one, they took to the skies, leaving the last griffin alone. He looked unperturbed, now well-used to loneliness.
My heart ached.
The world twisted once more, and I tightened my hand around the hilt of my Mark II.
Two different futures unraveled in front of my eyes. Whatever Ilis had drugged me with, it showed me the repercussions of my actions.
As if I didn’t already know.
In the first choice, I shoved my blade into the Griffin’s throat. It roared, pain and betrayal stark in its kind golden eyes. In this vision, I ignored it and continued slicing. Eventually, its head hit the ground, separated from its body. I watched as I leaned over and threw up next to it. Then I made my way back to Ilis. Ilis beamed at her when she arrived, holding out her arms.
I scowled. The bitch drugged me. We certainly wouldn’t be hugging it out when I arrived.
Ilis leaned forward, whispering the secret I needed in my ear. Then Kyla was there, and we made our way through the portal. The vision skipped ahead, and my eyes filled at the sight of Samael, love and gratitude in his eyes as he opened them for the first time since the Spell of Three took hold.
And then the second choice played out in front of me. I turned and walked away from the Griffin. Ilis shook her head in disappointment as I arrived, all of this time wasted, and for nothing.
Ilis whirled and strode toward her house, and a few days later, I watched as Samael turned to ash in front of my eyes.
Fuck. That.
I ground my teeth until pain shot through my jaw. Ilis wouldn’t give me what I needed unless I killed this magnificent creature? Fine. I’d figure it out without her. Between us, Kyla and I would tear these realms apart until we found the location of the sword. It would cost us time, but it wouldn’t cost a piece of my soul.
At this stage of my life, I had very few lines I wouldn’t cross. But this was one of them. I wouldn’t kill an innocent, defenseless being just because it would make my life easier.
“Fuck you, Ilis.”
In front of me, the griffin slowly stood. Was it limping slightly? It stopped a few feet from me, as if waiting for me to make up my mind.
It confused me. The griffin may not be able to fly, but even if I attempted to kill it, it could more than put up a good fight. It was much, much larger than the chupacabra, and in my current condition, it would likely take me down.
It stepped forward again, and I gaped as it bowed its head. It was offering me its throat.
Ilis could have sent me to this place to kill one of the many creatures who preyed on others. I could’ve killed an entire pack of chupacabras. But instead, she’d decided to toy with me, to send me to kill this magnificent beast, who was simply unlucky enough to be unable to fly away.
No fucking way.
“I’m not killing you,” I told it wearily, and the griffin lifted its head. Could it understand me?
It slowly moved even closer, keeping its posture unthreatening, although even now, it could have opened its mouth and swallowed my head whole.
Exhaustion swept over me, and my whole body went weak. I gave myself the pleasure of imagining slipping a blade between Ilis’s ribs.
I slumped to my knees, cursing the unseelie’s name. Warm fur brushed my skin, and the griffin curled its body around me as I passed out.
13
DANICA
Idon’t know how long I slept for, but the sun had lost much of its heat as I blinked open my eyes. The griffin was still curled protectively around me, and contentment gleamed within its eyes as I glanced at it.
My mouth was so dry, I’d give almost anything for a sip of water. But my head was mostly clear, although a headache had burrowed behind my right eye and stayed there.
