I kissed the underside of his jaw and squeezed him close. This man was powerful and used that power to keep his Faction safe. Just one of the many reasons I loved him.
Side note: his tight ass and shadow-daddy vibes were among the other reasons.
“The Dark Faction’s been moving troops through the lowlands. We know that much.” Tanya smiled gently. “You’ll be safe here—at least for tonight.”
Kharox’s growl rolled low beside me, his voice brushing my mind like thunder.“Safe is a fragile word.”
I met his gaze, then looked back at Tanya. “Then let’s make it stronger,” I said, and stepped into the tunnels.
The tunnel air was cold, still, humming with faint Draxon energy. Crystals glowed along the cavern walls, lighting the path Tanya led me down. Her fingers are woven tightly with Razor’s. Pantar was padding at my side with a soft, warning growl every time a shadow moved.
I kept expecting another ambush—maybe another Cryptfiend or another assassin from the Dark Factions.
Tanya squeezed my hand and whispered, “You’re all safe. I promise.”
My chest tightened.Safestopped feeling real weeks ago.
We turned a corner, and I stopped breathing.
Three figures stood in the center of a bioluminescent cavern, silhouettes carved by blue-white light.
A woman.
Two men.
And behind them, a broad shadow leaning on the wall—scarred, feral, familiar in a way that punched the breath out of me.
My voice cracked. “…Mom?”
Adelaide turned first.
Her eyes filled with tears so fast she didn’t even try to blink them away.
“Reverie?” She whispered, like she was afraid saying it too loud would make me disappear.
My legs moved before I even realized it. Zane began to reach for me, but Chloe caught his wrist—this was my parents' moment—a reunion long overdue.
I collapsed into Mom’s arms, and she held me as if she could make me safe with just her will. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I started crying before I even realized I’d begun.
Grumpy and Pop wrapped around us, their arms strong yet trembling. I felt their heartbeat pounding against mine.
“We thought we’d lost you,” Pop said into my hair.
“You were just gone,” Grumpy added, voice breaking. “Vanished where we couldn’t reach you.”
Dad walked over and pulled me into his arms, squeezing me tightly. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
“Why would you be sorry? None of this was your fault.” I hugged him and breathed in his scent.
“Selene may not have fixated on you if it wasn’t for me.” He grumbled.
“Sly! I’ve told you repeatedly this wasn’t your fault. She’s hated me from the first moment we met, but I recognize true evil doesn’t need an excuse.” Mom pulled us both into her arms. “Now’s not the time for self-flagellation. Let’s just be glad we’re all together.”
I pulled back, wiping my face uselessly. “H-how are you here? How?—”
A low rumble vibrated through the cavern.
Mira.
