The closer she gets to loving you, the more your two sides blend together,Kelter says, pulling from my memories, every detail in my head available in his.I’ve always felt your dark side, but it’s fading. Which means the first half of the curse is weakening. Both halves can’t exist at once.
And the only way the first half could break and eliminate my dark and light sides is if I let her love me and trigger the second half, and that’s the last thing I want to do,I finish for him, but he already knows. Like he knows everything about me and my past.And why are you so good at seeing and hearing everything I try to hide, but I can’t do the same when you block me?
I have a need for connection, if you recall,he says mockingly.And I’m good at achieving it.
You’regoodat pissing me off.
Kelter sighs into my mind.You need to let her go. Send her to Caldera, and tell her not to come back. I’d rather see her heartbroken than the second half of the curse triggered.
Nothing could make me let go of her heart,I say.
The gods chose her for me. Doesn’t that matter to you?
They could link her a thousand times over, and she’d still choose me.
Because you’d never let her love anyone else.His accusation shifts to anger.Are you controlling her feelings toward me too? Are you keeping her from loving me?
I shudder.That doesn’t matter. Her heart is safe in my hands.
What if you screw this up like everything else?
I have everything under control.
“Romantic that she sees past your curse and all, my friend, but we need to keep going.” Milo slaps my back, and I almost bash his head into the wall.
Good control there, brother.Kelter slathers the sarcasm on thick.
The passages are mostly abandoned at this hour with the Half Links preparing for the Scrape in their living quarters. Which means the men are hoping for a chance to fight so they can choose a Trophy, and the women are fighting over which of them is most worthy. I got sick of listening to conversations from rooms and floors away, but I had to hear it all to learn how this place operates now. And protect Never.
We slip around another corner and press our backs flush to the passage wall.Which way?I ask Kelter.
This is your last chance to find Ever and get out of here. You’re risking her life.
I slap my hands on the dirt wall behind me.You’re risking her life by not helping me. She’s already on her way to you.
Good thing I’m chained to a wall. I don’t know if I could stop myself from killing at this point.
“Godsdammit.”
“What?” Milo asks.
I advance down the passage, my legs almost wobbly from Kelter’s cravings, the need pumping through me. The need to kill with bare hands. The need for blood. And stronger every second—the need to be with Never. I’ve never needed someone as much as my body requires her now.
With my hearing, I should be able to find the way, but her terrified heart takes mine over. I can barely think straight. Every left and right turn looks the same. Every sound echoes off the walls. But the scent ofdeath—it’s easy to follow. And potent as fuck. “We have to get there before she does. I don’t want her facing Zandrite alone.”Or Kelter.
Why can’t you listen to me for once? Get her out of here,he begs.
I told you I can protect her.
The smack of his head against marble rings through my brain. He pushes all his frustration at me, tightening my muscles, my jaw.Godsdammit, Eli. Promise me, whatever you do, don’t unchain me.
Chapter 52
KELTER
Ican’t stop thinking about how much Ever has opened up to Eli after only months, how she laughs with him. I used to make her laugh. If it weren’t for my cravings and all the other things that push us apart while bringing us together, it would have been different between us. Maybe it’s only on my mind because I’m still chained to a wall, and my only other option is watching Zandrite on his throne, gnawing on bones.
It wouldn’t have been different. You’re too much of a pussy for her liking,Eli says, his unwelcome thoughts unavoidable.But I appreciate that you spent a year depriving her of cock to get her ready for mine.
