I am the reason his family is shattered. That their glory is fading.
There are tearstains across Reuben’s mother’s face. Agony ebbing from her usually tall frame… She hasn’t looked up once from the body of her dead child.
I lower my gun and the satisfaction in August’s eyes crawls my skin.
He’s right.
The Taiga family won’t be able to fight… and they shouldn’t have to. Everything up to this point has been because of my involvement.
How bold would I have to be to say no?
The grief is raw in Reuben’s eyes as he looks at me. I know it must be consuming him... yet still he shakes his head rapidly, glaring. His eyes are telling me he won’t forgive me if I go. Every pore of his skin is telling me this is not my fault. I can feel his desperation even from here, telling me not to back down. Begging me to fight.
‘Don’t go anywhere.’
I wish I were more like you, Reuben.
I wish I could see what you see, when you look at me—what drives you to choose me even now, after everything I’ve done…
When I’ve ruined everything of yours just by being near you.
“You’ll put everything back.” My terms are slow from my mouth as I turn to face August, feigning disinterest, “And stay out of the Taiga’s affairs. You'll leave them alone.”
There’s the barest sigh of relief on his lips as he raises his hand for his men to stand down and drop their weapons.
“It’s a deal.” August’s word is all I need. It’s all I have, really.
Xavier grabs my arm.
He’s telling me something again. Scolding me.
You’re always scolding me.
When I turn to him, I put the wings away. They disappear into my body, and I return to my male form, clicking my teeth with frustration, “Stand down.”
“No,” Gabriel grinds through his teeth.
“Stand down,” I repeat, more firmly, piercing him with a cold stare. Drawing the line between us, with a bored expression, “Don’t make me force you.”
The change in my demeanour has shocked him. It has brought a newuncertainty to his eyes… as though he’s no longer sure who I am.
And that’s okay.
That’s how it needs to be.
Xavier’s expression is fierce, “This isn’t going to solve anything—”
“Maybe,” I cut him off lazily, pressing my gun into his chest for him to take it. “But your kind breaks easily. I can’t protect all of you in a war. It’d also be tasteless of me to fight one on your behalf when I started it.”
I cast him a single dismissive glance before turning back to August, ignoring the heaviness in my heart, “… So let it go. Take your people out of here.”
“You’re doing it again.” Xavier grabs my arm to stop me with a hiss. “You’re using yourself to protect us… On the ship. In the truck accident. For the kid—”
“Let it go, Xavier.” I wrench free of his grip with false irritation, scowling. “Use your head. Like you did before.”
Hurt flashes across his face when he catches my meaning and my mask slips for the barest of moments. My expression softens with the sound of my voice, “You’re smart… So let it go.”
He releases my arm, a whirlwind of emotions filtering through his eyes and I put the walls back up. Hiding behind the mask I’m used to and slipping into character. Unfazed. Bored. Bested.
