The Gavor avoids the trap that binds
The Fear covets what he takes
The Artist regrets what she makes
Without the shine, there is only the dark
But will they be able to undue His mark?”
Lyk frowned. “Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me.”
“I wish I could say the same, brother, but she’s always been right before. I might not be able to decipher the rhyme, but Iknow there’s something going on here, something connected to you. I can feel it.”
“I’m sure this is just a coincidence. It’s probably—”
His sister interrupted him. “It’s not coincidence. Keep your eye out for something shiny. And watch out for the Seekers.”
“The Seekers? Out here? Why would they come for me?”
“The ‘Fear’ that the rhyme mentions. Gemma thinks it has something to do with Dredd, one of the Seekers. He’s able to strike his enemies with untamable fright.”
Gemma. That was Calabez’s wife. The fact that Calabez had a wife was even more surprising than Nojan having one. She was supposed to be super smart. But even geniuses made mistakes.
“I’ll be fine. I’m not the one about to march into Hell. I can’t believe our brothers are letting you tag along on that mission by the way.”
He got a mental image of Kara biting her lip. “They don’t exactly know yet.”
Lyk laughed. His little sister never liked to be treated like a little sister. His brothers were in for quite a fight.
“Don’t change the subject, Lyk. You need to take this seriously.”
“I’m sure the poem is about someone else. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I hope it is, but I fear it’s not.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.”
Kara’s tone filled with panic. “Being careful isn’t enough! You should come home. We need to close ranks, fight this threat as a united front.”
“I have to go,” Lyk said. “Take care of yourself, sis.” He broke the connection, throwing up the wall that kept others from entering his mind. Even Kara, despite their bond.
As he walked back to the tavern, his stomach churned. He didn’t like the thought of his family being in danger. Walkinginto Hell was a massive risk, one they shouldn’t take. But he wasn’t about to tell Marek what to do. A Vartik male would do anything for his mate, even fight the Devil himself.
His sister wanted him back on Vartik, but that was an idea Lyk wouldn’t entertain. He’d left his home world behind, for good, and all the duties that went along with it. He would never stop loving his family, but he couldn’t be around them.
He was the black sheep, a pariah, and not only would they not welcome him back, but he would be disappointed in his own weakness for going home.
It’s not going to happen, so put it out of your thoughts. Using his sizeable will, Lyk pushed his complex feelings of guilt and resentment into a deep dark hole inside him.
Kara thought a gang of demons might be coming for him.
Let them come. They’ll find out they aren’t the only ones without a soul.
CHAPTER 4
ALLY
Ally stared at the cracked ceiling, wondering how life had come to this. She’d been home from the factory for a couple hours now, but sleep eluded her as she lay on the pallet next to Evie. She was exhausted down to her bones, but her mind wouldn’t let her rest.
