When she finally relaxed her grip the three of them undid the locks and proceeded down the stairs to the street below. Into the utter chaos of a battle.
Though Sera had released Kieran, she couldn’t bring herself to let go entirely. She held his hand as they entered the chaos outside. Taking up the entire street, Wraith’s men were slowly gathering in number.
Cole stood behind a wall of flames, on the steps of Sera’s old apartment. He’d barricaded himself, a half-wall of wood and kindling that shielded him from being rushed by the growing army. The Lady Archer stood on the opposite side of the street, but her arrows either burned before reaching Cole or were plucked harmlessly from his body like annoyances. The fire kept most of the forces at bay and what did get through, Cole could brush off while high on Divinity.
Wraith’s men were occupied either attacking, managing damage, or evacuating buildings. Sera searched for Miles from where they’d separated. Once she had seen the flames beginning to take over her old building, all her thoughts had been for Seth. Miles had stayed behind to help deal with Cole. She hadn’t expected to find Kieran as well, keeping Seth safe.
Thank the Divine she hadn’t been too late.
She couldn’t locate Miles in the mayhem, but, shockingly, Cole was still alive.
Her fists clenched at her sides, jaw locking. Seth and Kieran were safe. That was all she’d cared about. Cole would not last much longer. Even with Divinity he was too outnumbered andthe fire would burn out eventually. Sera’s role in this was over. All she had to do was walk away from the fighting.
“Sera!”
Head jolting toward the voice, Sera locked eyes with Cole, his face blurred by flames.
“Why won’t you stay dead, you stupid bitch?” Cole spat, as more of Wraith’s people tried to figure out a way to get close. “Your entire life was a mistake and if I get out of this, there is no where you can run. Not North’s fancy fuck shack. Not the inner Ring. I will make it my life’s mission to stop your dumb cunt heart from ever beating again.”
Kieran’s body stiffened next to her, and Sera glanced up to see rage storming openly in his eyes. She squeezed his hand tighter, drawing his gaze back to her. Her jaw ached, but adrenaline was making it easier to forget.
It was every insult her mother had thrown at her all her life. Stupid. Dumb. A mistake. Did not deserve to live.
But her mother waswrong.
Both of them were wrong.
And Cole was about to learn that Sera Blair was not stupid.
Sera did a quick survey of the scene, looking for options. Noting Cole's placement against her old building, most of it engulfed in flames so that the structure might collapse any second. Her eyes moved to the surrounding buildings. She noted that no more occupants were being rushed to safety and the barrage of arrows that caught fire as they broke through the fiery barricade.
That could work.
Kieran followed her eyes and shook his head, his anger draining instantly. “No. Sera, we need to leave. You are safe. Seth is safe. Job done. Let Wraith deal with Cole.”
She shook her head. “And then what? Wait around guessing on whether or not he’s actually defeated this time? We’ve been inlimbo for nearly two months. I will end this. I’m going to make sure Cole is done hurting people.”
He studied her, and she could see the indecision. She could see his respect for her, his unwavering belief in her abilities at war with his fear of losing her. She knew that he didn’t doubt her. Knew he believed her capable of the task. But love made him scared.
He had never said the words, but in her heart she knew all the same.
Sighing, he looked at their joined hands. “You’re asking me to let you go again. I’m not sure I’m strong enough.”
“Then don’t let go.”
He looked up, brow furrowed.
“Help me.”
His answer was a smile that warmed her soul. Kieran turned to Seth and said, “Stay out of sight, head straight, then left until you’re well clear of the fighting. Joy should be waiting near the Axis Street divide into the Fells.”
“Please, Seth,” Sera said, cutting off Seth’s protest, “I can’t risk you again. I have a plan and you need to be safe.”
With a frown, he threw himself onto Sera, squeezing her in a hug. “You better come back,” he said, voice wobbly with unshed tears.
Sera had to keep her own tears out of her voice when she replied, “Of course.”
With a nod, Seth swiped at his eyes, and proceeded down the street. It was up to her now to ensure they made it back to him safely.
