I can’t contain the possessive growl that vibrates from my chest. “I think it’s best you don’t talk about that, or I will rip your head from your shoulders and throw it in the fire,” I threaten, pinning him with my furious gaze.
He nods once, his lips curling into a smile. “So, we’re good?”
“We’re good as long as you keep my woman out of your thoughts and mouth,” I bite back.
He laughs, shaking his head. “Noted.”
“You speak to Lilith?” I ask. His smile fades instantly, and he shakes his head.
“No,” he answers firmly.
I exhale. “If there was any time to tell her, it was last night.”
He shakes his head. “I ain’t about to flip her world upside down, plus she won’t believe me. Some things are better off dead.”
“You’re a smart man, but fuck, sometimes you can be stupid,” I say before downing more of the blood. I place the bottle down on the table, staring at it. “If by some miracle she survives after I’m gone, you look after her. You, this club, all of you watch over her. Protect her.” My voice cracks with the pain that weighs so heavily on my chest as my gaze meets his.
Silas nods. “You have my word.”
I stand, stopping beside him, my hand clasping his shoulder, squeezing it; a silent thank you, an emotional goodbye.
“It ain’t a goodbye,” Silas yells over his shoulder. “I’ve been by your side in this life, and I will be by your side in the next.”
I walk down to Hex’s room and knock, waiting for him to answer. He swings the door open. Variouscharms and markings cover his walls. “I need something that will make her sleep,” I state.
He nods, opening the door further and gesturing for me to enter. I’ve never entered his room before, and knowing how Hex is, I shouldn’t be surprised by what I see: a goat’s skull centred on the wall, surrounded by some ritualistic markings. He unlocks a chest filled with miniature bottles and rummages through them, taking one out. He turns to me, holding it up. “This is strong. Too much and she will never wake. She will be eternally in a coma.”
I nod. “Like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty?” I ask, trying to make light of the situation.
He shakes his head, his expression grim. “Those crazy bitches couldn’t handle the power given to them.”
“Right.” I nod. “So how much is the right amount just to make her sleep until this is all over?” I ask.
“The size of a newborn baby’s fingernail,” he states.
I frown. “Hex, how the fuck will I know what size that is?” I ask.
He huffs and rolls his eyes. “Size of an antihistamine pill?” he suggests. When I stare at him blankly, he continues, “Contraceptive pill?”
“Fuck, Hex, do I look like I suffer fromallergies? And have I ever needed to take the contraceptive pill?” I sigh, frustrated.
“Some people are never satisfied,” he mutters, turning back as he writes something on a small piece of paper, then hands it to me. I look down and see a small circle drawn on it. “That is the size you want,” he nods.
I nod. “Thank you.” As I turn to leave, Hex calls out, halting me in my tracks.
“I know you think keeping her away is best, but her soul belongs here with us. With you. Black Beauty told me,” he states.
I swallow, my shoulders tensing. “She will always be here with us,” I say through gritted teeth.
Entering my room, I find her on my side of the bed, curled around my pillow like it’s the last piece of me she can keep. My undead heart fractures. I stand there for a moment too long, memorizing the way her hair spills across the sheets, the way her fingers clutch the fabric. Leaving her will destroy us both. But it’s the only way, my only hope.
I cross the room and brush my thumb along her cheek. She stirs beneath my touch. “Wake up, Petal.” Her lashes flutter. She blinks sleep from her eyes, confusion soft.
“Is ittime?”
I shake my head. “The sun’s about to set.” My throat tightens. “I want to take you on one last ride before—”Before I go to war. Before I don’t come back.The words rot inside my chest.
Sadness clouds her gaze, but she forces a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Okay.” She slips her hand into mine and presses her lips to my palm. She lingers there, breathing me in. A single tear lands on my skin. She sniffs, blinking hard, fighting it. Then she lets go. The pain builds so fast it steals my breath.
