“You want to return to the land of the living and leave them?” Asher asked.
The man’s chuckle was brittle. “I must live first so that one day I can die and return to them. One day we will exist together in this perfect paradise. Until that moment, I will have to live for them. I’m ready for both.”
I willed my tears down, because while this was one of the most heartbreaking stories I’d heard in a long time, this man did not want my tears.
“You deserve your happiness,” I said, voice a touch husky. “We will make it happen.”
The man inclined his head, eyes never leaving mine, even as he backed away.
It was time for us to get out of here too, but before we could leave, I had to check one thing.
“You okay?” I asked Asher, giving him my full attention. “If you need a second to deal with your parents, follow them to see how they’re doing, you know I’m right with you.”
He shook his head, barely any hesitation. “Nah. They looked happy, and it would only be painful and confusing for them not to remember me. I’ll let them have their peace, until it’s time for us to meet again.”
I pushed lightly on our bond, because if Asher was hurting I wanted to feel it too. There was mostly peace in his emotions, a little pain, but it was barely perceptible. He had me and his brothers, and the few others he considered family. The loss of his parents was always going to be a sore spot for him, but it had actually helped to see them briefly. To see their peace.
“Let’s go save our families,” I murmured, hugging him tightly. “We’re almost at the end. We can do this.”
“I got you, baby,” he said, as he crushed me to his chest. “You and me forever. We will not fail. I refuse to let that happen.”
Forever. We were coming for you.
Chapter 29
By the time we reached the edge of the island, the noise had faded, leaving us with that echoing, unnatural silence. There were other changes too. It felt colder here, and the water on this side was slightly darker. Murky almost. Like a warning not to cross.
“The souls would feel it stronger than us too,” Asher said, eyes alert as he searched out dangers.
“It’s a good system to keep them in their areas, but why are they segregated anyway? I mean, that’s a very ‘living person’ thing to do.”
We stepped out onto the turbulent water and it held our weight.
“This world is controlled by living gods,” Asher replied. “No doubt they have categorized souls into what they think is the most peaceful afterlife for them. Shifters wouldn’t want to live with all of this water, but Atlanteans do. Most of the time they probably get it right.”
Except for those like Rayge, who was no doubt difficult to classify.
“I hope the others are okay,” I said, concern for them creeping into my thoughts. “I mean, I’m sure they are. All three are capable as hell from what I can tell. It’s just hard not to worry.”
Asher ran a hand through his hair, sending the black and gold strands into sexy disarray. “This world doesn’t play by the fucking rules. No amount of capability can overcome that, and those three are not born of gods. I’m worried too.”
I liked that his circle of friends was extending. I mean, I was in a girl gang with their mates now, and it would be nice for all of us to hang out in a different capacity one day. One with a little less mortal danger and end-of-the-world worries.
“You ready?” Asher asked, his eyes locked on the dark veil. It was without a single flaw or crack, just like the last one.
“Let’s do it.”
I stepped forward, the water swirling in murky disarray beneath my feet. Just before I was about to reach out and touch the veil, I heard a shout from behind. Spinning around, Asher shifted in front of me, chest swelling as he extended his arms protectively.
Peering around him, I caught a glimpse of the tatted man sprinting like his life depended on it.
“Wait!” he shouted again, and Asher straightened, allowing me to see the ancient Atlantean clearly.
The man wasn’t just sprinting, he was sprinting while holding two gigantic tridents. How he hadn’t tripped over them was beyond me, but I found myself fascinated by the glint of their jewels in the dusky light here.
Storms suddenly raged overhead and he picked up speed.
“Should we go to him?” I shouted to be heard over the torrent of winds trying to push the man back. They had legitimately sprung up out of nowhere.
