Walker shifts, and I can see his impassive face.
Walker’s love? What does that mean? As far as I’m aware, his heart is cold, a dead rock in his chest. I don’t think he loves anyone anymore, and I don’t think there’s a person in this world that loves him, aside from me.
“It doesn’t matter; in two days, there won’t be a single person left alive in this city. It’s all going to be over.” The voice of the newcomer stops them in their tracks.
“Are we doing it, then? Setting fire to the city? I’m almost disappointed. I was looking for a challenge,” the resident psychopath says.
“Yes. Every alpha and omega left hiding in this forsaken place will pass in flames. The ones that got out won’t stay free for long, but the goddess wants this over. From spring onwards, she wants to move us into a whole new reign.”
The High King steps into view, his gold mask flashing. He’s wearing the same black robes the rest of them wear. Only his mask makes himdifferent. What would happen if we took out the three of them here? I am almost tempted, my body quivering with rage, filled with a poisonous hate.
“Are you sure she’s still here?” The High King asks his executioner.
“I am, sir. The omega Kaida Keres did not escape with the rest of them. If we eliminate her, it will be easier to subdue the others.”
I flinch at my name, but Cadel doesn’t move.
They walk on slowly, still talking. They are going to set fire to Foreen? I’m not sure how I feel about it. Part of me doesn’t want to lose the history here, but another part of me thinks that the ghosts of the past would rest easier if their pain and suffering were erased.
Setting fire to the city while we are still trapped inside would be unpleasant to say the least. My mind goes blank at the thought.
We stay plastered to the wall for a long time, making sure they are well out of sight and gone before Jarek moves, slinking out to check.
Cadel turns me in his hold and hugs me tight.
“Are you all right?” he whispers.
Am I? No, not even close.
I exhale roughly. “We need to get out of the city,” I say in a rough voice. “I don’t want to burn.”
Still, I know there are people here who are going to be left behind.
“Is there anything else we can do for the others?” I ask.
Mordecai slowly shakes his head. “No. Not without giving away our and their location.”
I shudder. To burn in a blaze like this would be horrific.
“Let’s go to the temple. We’ll get out of here and hope they find a way. I guess we can’t save everyone.”
I can see it on their faces. Hope is nothing; it’s not going to help anyone. Not us nor them. Mordecai takes my hand, pulling me close to him. He brushes my cheek and leans down, pressing his lips to mine. I cling to him, feeling his strength and every bit of his worry in his touch.
“Come on!” Jarek hisses.
I break away from Mordecai and dart after Jarek. We get one block before my knees give out, and I find myself kneeling in the street, in the grass. My mother is dead. My whole family is gone. They murdered her.
Four years of searching for answers, and I have them all now. It’s lonelier than I would have thought possible.
Tears fill my eyes and spill over. I have no control over myself. I don’t even know why it’s happening now. I thought I was okay.
Jarek crouches beside me, while Mordecai and Cadel stand guard. He waits while I gasp, smothering my pain with a fist pressed to my mouth.
I am alone now.
“No, not anymore. We’re here with you now,” Jarek murmurs and reaches out, taking my hand. “It’s just a bit of emotional backlash from your heat. You’re okay, Kaida.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out the photograph of us. He takes it from my hand and stares down at it before he puts it in his own pocket.
