The words hit me like a slap. “I—no—” I choke, my hands shaking so badly I can’t even wipe my tears. “I’m not—I can’t?—”
“Yes, you can,” she says simply. “It’s your divine right. Make your sacrifice, Lily.”
Her eyes lock on mine through the camera, and I swear I can feel her inside my head, inside my skin.
“You were born into blood,” she whispers. “Raised in fear.” A slow inhale. “You survived what should have broken you.”
Her smile turns almost proud.
“That doesn’t happen by accident.” She leans closer to the door, voice dropping into something that feels like a vow.
“Come out, Lily,” she whispers. “Come to me.” A beat. “And I promise you… You won’t be afraid ever again.”
My fingers curl into a fist. My nails bite into my palm so hard I feel the sting. My father is bleeding out. My mother is offering me a deal. One that saves them both.
Dad drags himself closer to the door, leaving blood behind him like a trail. His forehead presses to the steel.
His voice is barely there now. But it’s still his.
“Be brave…” he rasps. “For me… solnyshko…”
A sob rips out of me so hard it hurts. I’m thrown back into that room as a kid when he gave me the box. That’s all he’s ever wanted for me, is to be safe. With her, I never will be.
My baby won’t be.
I can’t just sit back and let this unfold. Not when I have a chance to be brave for them all.
“I love you,” he breathes.
My entire body caves. I can’t breathe. I can’t move.
His eyes flutter, his head dropping, his body going terrifyingly still again. “Dad!” I scream, slamming my fists on the door. “Dad! PLEASE!”
Maria sighs like she’s disappointed in me, like I’m being difficult. “Now,” she murmurs softly, “open the door.”
I stare at the release panel. My hand shakes as it lifts again.
My whole body is trembling. But I don’t touch it. I don’t open it. Because I can feel it in my bones.
The moment I do…
I won’t get him back. I won’t get any of us back. So I pull my hand back and curl into myself.
I stay exactly where I am.
Locked inside.
Holding onto my father’s last words like they’re the only thing keeping me alive.
I never wanted to be a weakness for Drago. I want to be something powerful for him, just like he is for me. I can’t exist in a world where he doesn’t.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
Drago
Song- Live Like Legends, Ruelle
The air in the tunnel underneath the church is damp and stale. It clings to the back of my throat as we move, boots scraping softly over the uneven ground, our breaths the only sound between us.
