I study Ravi’s face. Determination burns in his eyes, while there’s a slight tremor in his blue-tinged lips. Ravi may be my cousin, my ally in magic, but I need him to stay.
“N-no,” I manage through chattering teeth. “Go back to the castle, find the spell to close the rift. If I am not back by morning, alert the Blades, and close it without me.”
“Why morning?”
“If it takes longer than that, something went wrong.”
I’ll be safe if I keep out of sight from the Dullahan and other rangers like the harpies. Kosac rules there like a king, much like the devil rules Hell. But unlike Hell’s active torment, Mictlan inflicts hopeless despair—like entering the depths of depression. Still, if I want to find Fynn, I must endure it. Time flows differently there, with days in Mictlan feeling like mere hours here.
“I can’t let you go alone,” Ravi insists, kicking his long legs to stay afloat.
I shake my head, sending water droplets flying. “If we both go and something happens, then who will close the gate?” I place a freezing hand on his shoulder, my legs fanning beneath me. “I need someone I trust to keep my people safe if I can’t.” Felicity’s snobbish face enters my thoughts, and I push it away.
I will be fine. I’m not leaving my people in her care.
Ravi falls silent for a moment before reluctantly nodding. “I’ll figure it out.”
“I know you will.” I manage a smile I don’t feel. “And, Ravi? If… if something does happen, tell Wilder I love him. Tell him to be happy.”
Before he can respond or comment on the tears forming in my eyes, I submerge beneath the water, following the light trail before kicking my feet and swimming straight into the rift and the unknown.
I’m coming, Fynn. Hold on.
Once Felicity started singing,I lost my celebratory mood.
Vane and I retreat to our room upstairs while Vyvyan takes a lonely bridesmaid up on her offer to be her evening’s blood source. Tomorrow will be long, with wedding events starting at eight in the morning, but I hope to find time between now and the after-party to talk privately with Jax.
He’s upset. And before he could tell me the truth, we were interrupted.
If Jax and Anselm broke up because of me, he needs to say so. I’m terrified of breaking his heart a second time, especially since he’s already falling apart. He deserves better.
I need Vane to stop antagonizing him. Jax is going through a lot. We’re not getting back together, but I also don’t want him to feel like we can’t be friends. His breakup shouldn’t have been a surprise to me. Why didn’t Jax tell me the truth?
“What’s troubling you?” Vane asks, shrugging off his fancy jacket as he walks into the closet. I kick off my heels, leaving them scattered on the beautiful vintage rug. I curl my painted toes into the soft fabric.
My phone vibrates. I pull it out and toss the spiderweb-beaded pocketbook onto the bed.
Misty
Send pictures! Miss you.
I smile. Years ago, after Misty shut me out for being Vane’s progeny—a secret I was willing to keep forever—I never thought we’d be friends again. But not long after I moved back into the Nest following my stay in Lua to help Tanith heal, Misty reached out. We talked, cried, and promised never to lie to each other again. The relief I felt at having her back still lingers in my chest.
Vane exits the closet. He notices my discarded shoes with a scowl. He despises messes. “Desiree.” His single word carries a warning. We’ve discussed howcleanliness is next to godlinessmore times than I can count. I’ve never understood how that applies to vampires. We are closer to daemons than angels, are we not?
“Sorry, Dad,” I joke, bending to pick up one heel. When I stand, Vane’s crimson eyes lock onto me, rooting me in place.
I swallow hard.
“Say that again. See what happens.”
I smile innocently, like the little shit I am. “Say what?”
“You know what.”
“You don’t like it when I call youDad?” I laugh. “What aboutDaddy?”
Vane’s pupils dilate before he closes his eyes briefly, as if fighting himself.
