We don’t stop again after that, though the horses fight every step. Rhea rides up front to steady them, Kara stays behind her, pretending she’s fine.
Frankie rides next to me now. She hasn’t said much since the surge. Her hand rests on her stomach again, like she’s guarding the twins without realizing it. I can feel her magic stirring, responding to whatever waits ahead.
Jess drifts in and out of sleep, her head resting on Graven’s lap. Every time she stirs, she whispers Dante’s name. Graven’s quiet but alert, one hand always braced on the edge of the wagon, the other combing through her hair.
The horses start tossing their heads. Solera whinnies loud and sharp, her mane flashing gold. Kara tries to calm her, but the glow from her wound brightens again, pulsing in rhythm with the portal.
“Zarreth,” Frankie says. “It’s happening again.”
The portal’s no longer just a glow, it’s a storm. The center of it spirals, shades of red and black swirling like a bleeding tornado, thick smoke striking out like it’s alive.
“Everyone back,” I yell. The horses rear against their harnesses, jerking the wagon so violently a wheel jars loose on the rocks.
The horses don’t stop. They keep running, dragging the wagon behind them. The broken wheel hits something, jerking the whole thing sideways. I jump from the bench before it flips, hitting the ground hard.Frankie!I’m on my feet running toward the wagon in no time. Graven bursts from the wreck before I get there, both girls in his arms, a flickering shield wrapped around all three of them.
Relief nearly knocks me over…then Rhea screams. I whip toward her as the portal lashes out, smoke and light snapping toward Kara. She throws herself off her horse, the blast missing her by inches.
I’m next to Frankie in an instant, helping her to her feet. I grab her shoulders, scanning for blood. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she answers, eyes getting big. “Kara!” she screams, pointing behind me.
The falkyrie is on her knees, clutching her arm. The bandage around it is darkening. Rhea’s beside her, trying to help her up when the portal lashes out again.
“Look out!” I yell as Graven appears behind Rhea. He yanks her back, but the portal doesn’t miss its target. This time it hits Kara right in the chest.
She jerks, her head snapping back, as a ragged scream tears out of her. Black veins crawl up her neck in an instant, spreading under the skin.
“Kara!” Rhea screams, driving an elbow into Graven’s nose and running back to her.
Kara’s still on her knees, clawing at her arm, another raw scream tearing through her throat. “Get away,” she rasps as Rhea reaches for her.
“I’m not leaving you!”
Kara’s pupils flare back, veins now spreading to her face. “Check…my…bag…” she manages as she jerks, her body twisting, fighting something we can’t see.
“Rhea, get back!” I shout.
Graven has her again, dragging her back as Kara’s breath breaks into a snarl. She pushes to her feet, swaying before she lunges.
I’m already moving, stepping between them. Fire gathers in my palms as I get ready to end her.
The thing she’s become hisses, but I can still see Kara’s face beneath it. I hesitate.Fuck!I don’t want to do this.I barely know her, but she made an effort to get to know me, even when I was a dick. She doesn’t deserve this.
She rushes me, snapping her fangs, leaving me no other option. I steady myself, releasing the fire in a short, sharp burst. Flames rush over her, pushing her back. She screams, her gaze flicking to mine. And for a split-second Kara surfaces. Therealher. She dips her chin, barely there, but I know what it means. Then the darkness takes her again.
I’m sorry.
I send another jet of fire to her heart, giving her the quickest death possible. The scream cuts off. Her body crumples, blackened ash scattering in the wind.
I stare at the spot where she fell, trying to ignore the sharp pain in my chest. Fuck! It never gets easier.
Rhea’s screams rip through me when I take a step back. A small body collides with mine as Frankie’s arms wrap around me. I don’t look at her. I can’t. Not yet.
We lost Kara.
CHAPTER 42
Frankie
