No,sheis everything.
She is our home. She is all that matters.
So, I nod firmly because my word still carries weight as the oldest. “Yes. We run.”
68
Jude
THIS ISN’T GOODBYE. IT’S A DECLARATION OF WAR.
She is terrified. No, she’s fucking horrified.
But I still see the fire in her. Even when she was breaking down in my arms during the initiation.
Fuck, a bullet to Kevlar still hurts like a bitch. Briella doesn’t let go of me.
No others lurk in the shadows. It’s only him. If I can get close enough, it would be no effort to disarm him. And promptly bash his skull in.
It’s simple to see why he is called the Prophet, the leader of a cult. Not taller than me. Few are. But his ritualistic collar and black robe scream priest, one with no celibacy or vows of poverty.
Similar to Raphael, his sharp, dark eyes pierce into your soul.
While he’s in his early 40’s, he has aged well. He’s charismatic, attractive, magnetic, manipulative.
And dangerous.
This man wants power over everyone. Raphael has power over the five of us because he fucking earned it and saved our lives. He doesn’t give a fuck about power beyond Kinship. We are enough for him. And hunting. And he has not simply lived. He has thrived with Briella. Claiming her soul became his obsession. But whatever chain he holds over her soul, she holds one equally as strong. She is an extension of himself.
I have looked into the eyes of the enemy too many times than I care to count. And this man reminds me of the director of ourfoster home more than anything else I have ever seen on the battlefield—or out of it.
The first thing I do is rise with her still in my arms, and tell her, “Get behind me.”
She shoves me, stepping in front of me instead. “No. He won’t shoot me, isn’t that right,Alden?“
He stiffens. The hand holding the gun is firm, unshaking.
When I try to shift her out of the way, she dares to use the cane to thwack me on my shin. Hard. I can’t risk struggling with her and damaging her leg.
“No, I have no intentions to shoot you,” Alden replies, velvety smooth. “The gun is for my protection alone.”
Of course, it is.
“It is good to see you, Bri.”
“Donotcall me that,” Briella snarls.
She spits venom. Pure, fire-forged rage. And yet, her hand in mine trembles.
Alden inspects me. Cool. Measuring. The bastard thinks I’m competition. Good. Let him.
“As soon as Reddick informed me of your presence,” he says, smoothly, “I knew I’d move heaven and earth to bring you home.”
Briella doesn’t blink. “Iamhome.”
The words hit harder than any bullet. She’s still our unshakable Queen.
Alden’s gaze flicks to her leg, then to the cane.
