“Simmy? What’s wrong?”
“The White Dread. It’s Velithorne. The unicorn we told you about rescuing. Remember? He recognizes me.”
On the drive to the summer camp, the one where the flaming marshmallows attacked before hell shadows did, the boys told me how a client had hired them to hunt a unicorn and they’d ended up hunting him. Later, as I was recovering from being Dark sick, Zane had told me the story of how the unicorn had given them its true name, Velithorne, before disappearing into the mist. A victory they were proud of. A rare moment of mercy in their violent lives.
And now that same creature was bound to Arabesque’s will, forced to fight the very ones who had saved it.
“This isn’t your fault, Cas,” Koa rumbled over the sounds of battle in the background.
“I know. Still.”
I closed my eyes, pain lancing through me. This was hurting Casimir, and that hurt me.
“You gotta do it, bro,” Zane said, his voice softer than usual. “It’s not Velithorne anymore.”
“Damnation!”
I looked down at the last reliquary. It wasn’t just a magical object anymore; it was the heart of a being that had shown something beautiful to my mates, that had trusted them enough to share its true name.
“We’ll wait for your signal, Simmy,” I said.
“Unlock it.” Foster jerked his chin at the glass box. “So I can do it as fast as possible.”
I nodded. My fingers hovered over the glass, feeling the magic pulsing beneath. This seal was different again, simpler, but somehow deeper, layers of protection woven with care rather than malice. Arabesque had valued this heart more than the others.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, not sure if I was speaking to Velithorne or to Casimir. Maybe both.
I reached for the seal, fingertips brushing the old glass. The runes flared at my touch, recognizing lunar magic, perhaps. I began to unravel them, working slowly, carefully. The wax softened under my touch, not melting, but yielding, like it was accepting my intent. Like it wanted to be broken. I dug through the seals one by one, the glass warming beneath my palms. This wasn’t just about destroying Arabesque’s weapon; it was about freeing a noble creature from torment.
“Almost there,” I said both to Foster and through the comms, as tears trickled down my cheeks.
“Serafina!” Koa suddenly boomed. “Arabesque’s gone! Z and I had her cornered and then nothing. Like she just dissolved.”
“Teleported or used a charm. I dunno. Maybe she ducked back through her own portal,” Zane rambled.
Suddenly, Brummy let out a roar that shook the floorboards. Foster stiffened, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air, and I knew.
Iknew.
Something—a pressure, a presence, a darkness—made the hairs on my arms stand on end, and a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature slithered down my spine.
“She’s here, Little Boss,” Foster growled. “Come to see who’s killing her monsters.”
The final seal gave way with a soft sigh, and I stood.
“Finish it.” I nodded toward the reliquary as I headed for the doorway. “Destroy the heart. Free Velithorne.”
“And what areyougonna do?” Foster’s eyes told me he didn’t need the answer.
“You already know.” I laid a hand on dear Brummy’s head. “Stay. Guard Alpha Toast for me.”
“Seri, no!” Koa’s voice broke through the static, raw with fear. “We’re coming! Just stall!”
“The White Dread is still alive. The super rogues are still attacking. You need to finish that first.”
“Serafina,” Casimir started, but I cut him off.
“This ismyfight, Simmy.” My voice was steadier than I’d expected with my hands shaking the way they were. “Mine.”
