She hesitates.
"Please, Eira. We're blind out here. You said you've seen death everywhere since the bar."
Her pale eyes lift to mine. "Most of it clusters around you."
My heart drops, a spike of fear hitting sharp. "Does that mean I'll cause death? Or that I'll die?"
She tilts her head, considering. After a long pause, she answers, "Both."
And she turns, walking toward Tomas's car without another word.
I stand frozen. "What does that mean?" I call after her.
She glances back, serene but sorrowful. "I don't know."
Then she's gone, and I'm left with nothing but the echo of her words.
Perfect. Another riddle wrapped in dread. I need to stop asking banshees questions, because all I ever walk away with is more fear and less clarity.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Sage
The ride home is silent and heavy, with Kayden and Asher lost in their thoughts, while Eira's words rattle around in my skull.I will cause death and die.
Not prophecy. It's not certain, just a banshee's sense. But it loops in my head anyway, a splinter I can't dig out.
By the time we step inside the house, my head aches and every muscle begs to shed this damn dress and heels, to sink into a bath, to disappear. But I know a reckoning's coming.
I beat them to it. Arms crossed, I turn as the door closes behind us. "I know you're angry. Or disappointed. Or both. So can we just get it over with? Tonight's been exhausting enough."
Kayden's eyes burn into me, sharp and stormy. But it's Asher who answers, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. "It's not fair to ask us anything when you're dressed like that. Gives you a tactical advantage."
The tension eases a fraction. My arms loosen. "You're not angry? About… the whole family thing?"
Kayden tilts his head. "Not really. A bit. But mostly at the goat bastard, not you. Changing names, yeah, I've done that too. I get it."
Asher nods, standing shoulder to shoulder with his brother. Both still in tuxedos, looking sharp and dangerous. Kayden's tie is loose, buttons undone, which somehow only makes him look better.
"It's not anger or disappointment," Asher explains.
Kayden's jaw flexes. "It's that we're married, but he's the one who knows everything about you. You two have history. Us… not so much."
"Yes," Asher agrees. "That's the part that stings. He's had years. We've had weeks. Every time he looks at you, he's reminding us."
Their honesty cuts deeper than a fight. It burns in my chest where the new secret smolders.
"I know." My voice cracks. "But we'll have time to learn about each other. To make our history." I reach out, taking each of their hands, holding them like lifelines, while trying to smother Eira's words echoing inside me that maybe there won't be time, since death clusters around me.
Kayden tightens his grip. "I want to know everything. Your laugh, your light. What makes you smile, what makes you squirm. Every shadow in your soul—especially those. I want it now, even if I'd savor the process of earning it over time." His frown deepens. "But then he walks into a room, and it's like gravity pulls you to him, whether you want it or not."
Asher's hand slides slow up and down my arm, touch tender, longing in it. "And all we can do is stand outside that orbit and watch. Even while you wear our rings."
The words gut me. A tear slips free before I can stop it. That's what they felt when I danced with Darius, standing by, powerless.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I don't even know what else to say."
They pull me in, one on each side, surrounding me.
