“Ruin, Elodie,” he repeats, and I huff in frustration.
“I don't know what you're getting at, but whatever this is, it's a little late, considering you're on the wrong side,” I bite, and he shakes his head again.
“We're out of time, as always,” he mutters, my frustration only growing.
“Where's Kael?” I insist, and he rolls his eyes.
“He screwed you over.”
I rear back, denial instantly kicking in.
“No he didn’t.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asks, cocking a brow at me. “He ran straight to Jude and told him everything.”
I grin. “Then he didn't screw me over.”
Has Kael let me down before? Yes. Have I felt the sweet essence of betrayal at his hands? Yes. But I know, hand on heart, that whatever he did and said was to help, not to hinder.
Walker pauses, mouth slightly open as understanding washes over his features.
“Where is he?” I insist, and he grimaces.
“Jude locked him away with the other subordinates.”
Guilt plummets in my stomach, heartache pounding rapidly in my chest.
It's my fault.
Thorne thankfully takes the lead as I wallow in sadness. “That's a problem for later. Right now, you need to make him retreat,” he snaps through gritted teeth, and Walker shakes his head.
“If he wanted to, he would. You're going to have to force him out,” he retorts, and I shake my head at the pair of them.
“He can't retreat. We need to save them, and he needs to pay. I wanted him here,” I snap, and Walker snickers.
“I’m sure you did, but whatever you had planned isn't coming to fruition. Which means drastic measures are needed.”
Once again, I shake my head. “You're not making sense, and you're not listening.”
He ignores me, snapping his attention back to Thorne while Rion remains naked at my side and Ocean stays pinned against Walker’s chest.
“The only way he will retreat is if I die atherhands,” he states, and I rear back in shock as Rion steps forward, protecting me as he makes it clear he’s referring to me.
“Why?”
Walker hangs his head in defeat. “Because that's about the only way he's going to feel threatened right now.”
“And what is it you're suggesting?” Thorne rasps, and Walker drags his free hand down his face.
“Well, we at least make it look like it wasn't planned,” he grunts, and I scoff.
“You're insane.”
His eyes return to mine, exhaustion clinging to the corners as they crinkle. “I’m tired. I'm done. I'm ready, and I’m too old for this shit. Besides, power is forged in ruin, remember? Many things may have been a lie, but not that.”
Rion folds his arms over his chest as he narrows his gaze on the enemy before us, his arm still boundaround Ocean's arms, but she doesn't look like she's in any discomfort. “I think you have too many questions to answer before death greets you,” he states, and Walker shakes his head for the thousandth time.
“She doesn't need any of the answers I can give. She needs to survive, and we're running out of time.”
