The same Nolan I once knew, yet changed—more insane and angry—with scars of Rigils covering his entire body.
A feral grin, filled with madness, sits on his face.
“Hello, sis,” Nolan says.
Chapter 45
Istep backward, uncaring of the resurrected that remains frozen in the face of Nolan and his burning gaze. The creature growls at my closeness, and I pause.
“It’s nice to see you again,” Nolan says.
“Can’t say the same.”
“You look awful.” He tilts his head.
I don’t respond; I can only stare at his condition. Deep white scars mar his face and trail down his neck. His once-white hair has dulled to gray, and his eyes are darker than the night swirling around us.
“No,” I bite back. “Actually, you look like shit.”
His vicious laugh bursts into the air, and I create distance between us.
“You look surprised to see me. I can’t imagine why,” he says, as he takes a step forward.
The creature hisses once more, and I spin, dragging my golden axe along with me. The sharp blade finds its mark directly across the throat of the creature. The beast screams and claws at its neck before falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Someone’s been practicing,” he exclaims, clapping before stepping even closer to me.
I narrow my eyes. “What the fuck are you doing here? Calia let you out of your cage for an outing?”
“Still with that sarcastic fucking mouth,” Nolan laughs. “I’m glad the trauma hasn’t changed you.”
“It has.”
“It’s not killed you.”
I step forward, picking up my second axe, and clutch my fists around the cold metal. “A lot of things have changed, Nolan.”
The battle rages around me as the water quickly rises once more on the ship. The creatures hiss, and Wielders swing their weapons through the night sky, like shooting stars of death. When the timing allows, some of the warriors tap into their powers, flaring shadows or light across the ship in chaotic blasts. I need to lower the lifeboats soon for any Wielders too weak to shift, then I must work on getting myself toward the pier.
However, both of those options seem impossible right now with Nolan before me.
“Where is your tether?” Nolan asks, as he angles his head.
I glance toward the shore to see the third ship nearly arriving. Fear drenches me, and I snap my gaze back to Nolan. The screams pouring from the nearly docked ship die down, and my heart races as the nerves settle in that something has happened.
He smiles. “Oh, good, they are almost there. The real fun can begin.”
“You are fucking awful,” I spit out, growling in his direction.
He shrugs. “I do hope your friend is okay.”
Larkin.
Oh, Gods.
“He is fine,” I bite back, moving toward the dangling lifeboats.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
