This was family.
Roman’s voice broke the silence, steady and certain. “As long as we don’t repeat history, I trust you.”
He exhaled, his expression unreadable for a moment before it softened. “I’m willing to move on and start fresh in this lifetime. We are truly brothers.”
He extended his arms, and Malik stepped forward.
The two men embraced.
I sniffled, barely holding back my tears.
It was a beautiful exchange. A moment of reconciliation that spanned centuries.
When they broke apart, Malik met Roman’s eyes, his expression fierce and determined. “Everything I do is to protect you. To destroy the evil that still exists.”
He touched Roman’s back, guiding him toward me before they retook their seats.
The flickering fire cast shadows across Malik’s face as he continued. “I vow to destroy Balthazar and the Timehunters.”
His hands curled into fists, his jaw tightening. “And you must know… taking Marcellious into my confidence was vital. I needed someone inside Balthazar’s circle. Someone who could spy on him without suspicion.”
He released a breath, his fingers unfurling as he stared at his open palm. He seemed momentarily lost in thought as if choosing his words carefully.
Then, at last, he spoke.
“I recruited Marcellious the night you were heading to Philip’s estate to find the journal.” His gaze flickered to Roman and me. “While you were asleep by the campfire, I compelled Marcellious into the woods and told him my plan.”
His frown deepened, memories stirring behind his eyes.
“At first, he was suspicious. He asked, ‘Why should I believe you over Balthazar? Why should I trust you?’”
Malik’s expression darkened. His voice was low, edged with quiet intensity.
“I told him, ‘Balthazar is only interested in one thing—himself. He’s using you, just as he’s used countless others before you. Everything he does is for his selfish gain. But what I do? It will benefit you. It will benefit Olivia. Roman. Emily.’”
He looked between me and Roman, his piercing gaze unreadable. Then he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together.
“It was hard on him, but Marcellious proved himself a strong soldier.” Malik’s voice held a hint of reluctant respect. “He was the perfect man to gain Balthazar’s confidence and retrieve his dagger. Both his and Alina’s.”
His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he sat back, rolling his shoulders as though they bore the weight of centuries.
I narrowed my gaze. “Why did you need those daggers in particular?”
A glint of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. A secretive smile stretched across his face.
Oh, boy. I exhaled sharply. He was still Malik, a man of secrets.
Then, without warning, his expression hardened, his emerald gaze cutting through me like a blade.
“Your mother’s prized possession is mine now,” Malik spat.
The air in the room thickened.
“You see,” he continued, “when I took away something Balthazar loved, I rendered him powerless.” His smile turned razor-sharp. “His dagger is in my possession. He can no longer time travel. No longer manipulate time. No longer escape.”
I sucked in a breath, the full force of his words crashing over me like a ten-thousand-ton brick.
Malik had taken away Balthazar’s greatest power—his ability to run.
