But then, Roman stepped in behind him, wrapping his arms around him, too.
That was all it took.
A shudder ran through Malik’s body, and his arms finally came around me.
All three of us stood there, locked in an embrace. Malik—sandwiched between us—was no longer a lone soldier in the dark, a monster resigned to his fate.
Just Malik. A man. A brother. Family.
When we finally pulled apart, our eyes were red, and our faces streaked with tears.
I reached up and kissed Malik’s cheek.
“You are so much more than a friend, Malik.” My voice was hoarse butsteady. “We’ll work together to destroy Balthazar. And then maybe—just maybe—we can find peace.”
Malik exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling as if seeking answers from the heavens.
After a long moment, he murmured, “Maybe.”
Roman and Malik wiped the tears from their faces. Watching these two strong men—these warriors—weep was almost too much to bear.
But there was no shame in it.
Only truth.
Only family.
I sniffled and took a calming breath. “So, how do we find the Moon Dagger?”
Something flickered in Malik’s gaze.
Relief.
Purpose.
“I’ll show you.” Malik’s voice was steady, resolute.
He straightened his shoulders, his emerald gaze moving from Roman to me. “We must take one step at a time.”
Without another word, he turned and headed toward the stairs.
Roman and I followed in silence, a new bond thrumming between us—one woven from tenderness, vulnerability, and shared truths.
When we entered his office, Malik strode toward a cupboard built into the wall. Without hesitation, he opened it with a flourish, revealing a gleaming wall of daggers.
I sucked in a breath.
These blades?—
Each one a stolen life.
A quiet horror gripped me as I scanned the collection. These were not just weapons. They were relics of Timebornes Malik had slain.
My chest tightened. How many had he taken?
Malik carefully inspected the array of knives with his back still to us.
Then, after a long, deliberate pause, he turned—two blades glinting in his hands.
