That hits likea twist of the soul, a curse poisoning my mind. Guilt comes crashing in, dragging memories I’ve spent years trying to bury.
“You stay here, okay?”
Sammy’s blue eyes look up at me. We share the same shade, but they’re different on him. Brighter, untouched, still full of light, eager to live.
“But Kai, you can’t go alone. It’s dangerous.”
“I know,” I say, crouching to meet his height. My voice wavers, but I force it steady. “I’ll be okay. I have to go; there are people out there who need help.” He grabs my sleeve, his fingers small but holding strong.
“But what if something happens?”
I swallow hard.Every instinct in me is battling between going and staying, and to lock the door to keep him safe. But I hear the chaos outside, the cries for help, panic rising as dark smoke, choking.
And I can’t ignore it.
What kind of soldier hides when people need help?
“I won’t be long,” I whisper, brushing his blond hair back. “Just stay here, in the warded room. Please, I need to know you’re safe.”
Screams rise from the street—closer now, sharper, cutting through the air like glass.
No more time.
I stand. “I’ll come back,” I promise, more to myself than to him.
“Ok, Kai. I’ll stay, promise.”
“Attaboy,” I ruffle his hair, before warding his room, sealing it away from evil.
The General’ssmug smile is like acid on my skin. I want to tear something apart just to drown out that feeling. That reminder that I failed the one person I couldn’t afford to lose.
“So,” he says, voice smug, “we clear?”
Any words I can say taste as ash in my mouth, so I nod.
But at the last minute, I add.
“Yeah. But ifanythinghappens to her?” I lean in. “The deal’s off, and I’ll burn this whole place to the goddamn ground.”
I know it’s a tactical error, showing open interest in Avilyna. But when it comes to her, logic fractures.
“Unlike some people,” the General says, tone biting, “I always make sure my missions are a success. ”
I scoff, I can’t help it. It’s either that or I draw blood. He doesn’t retaliate, not with his usual go-to punishments. Smart, he knows better than to push me when I’m like this. The General knows it’s been months since I’ve shown this much… Drive. Even if it’s dangerously misdirected.
“Looks like you’ve taken your surveillance duty a littletooseriously.” He crosses his arms, staring me down. “So? What do you have to report?”
I straighten up and keep my expression flat. “Nothing to report, sir.”
“Nothing,” he repeats, skepticism cutting through his tone like a scalpel. He doesn’t believe me, watching every tic, every blink, measuring my pulse by the silence.
“She’s progressing at a steady pace in her training,” I report, voice measured. “But she hasn’t awakened. Given her mixed bloodline, I assess it’s unlikely she ever will. The best she’ll achieve is becoming a skilled soldier with the sight.”
I hold my silence after that, knowing any hesitation or slip could trigger his suspicion. Now that I truly understand what Avilynais. His attention is the last thing I need: him sniffing around.
My father’s doctrine is clear; lycans are the apex breed of Elgar. The only threat to his claim over Kallahan is the resurgence of valkyries. I have no proof tying him to the whispers spreading, but I know for a fact he’s done nothing to quash those rumours.
The General studies me, eyes sharp, reading every micro-expression. After a long pause, he waves me off without a word, dismissing me.
