Maines.
I slowly turn, and a dread I’ve never felt before settles in my chest, causing me to stagger backward into Silas’s body.
“No,” I say.
Malachi stands behind Maines, Hux at his side, with his hand wrapped around her shoulders. Her face is horrified, and she sits still, too afraid to move and still too injured to run. Oak stands nearby, but is frozen. His head is slightly tilted, and I notice something pressing into the side of his throat—an invisible claw ready to end his life if the order is given.
Fen and Larkin slowly take a step toward us, unsure of what to do or how to help.
Malachi wears a smile of triumphant madness on his face, and Hux’s face remains hard, uncaring that his once friend lies dead before him. Hux’s shadows dance in the sunlight, and an evil radiates from him, mimicking Malachi’s.
“What a lovely morning,” Malachi’s awful voice sounds toward us.
“Maines,” Oak says, attempting to take another step forward. “You are okay.”
“Oak,” her lips quiver, understanding the severity of the moment.
“It’s going to be alright.” Oak attempts a reassuring smile but fails. “Just sit still, darling.”
She nods, trying to remain calm, but the panic shows all over her face.
“No, it actually won’t be,” Malachi responds. “You shouldn’t lie.”
“Get the fuck out of here, Malachi,” Silas’s voice booms, and black shadows begin to swirl around us from the King of Darkness.
In the morning sun, you can see the shimmers of the creatures surrounding Malachi. He’s not alone, even though one would think he is, besides Hux. The Travelers lurk invisibly, ready to do Malachi’s bidding and strike should he give the signal.
We are completely surrounded.
He traces the side of Maines’s face, and a whimper leaves her throat.
“You see, the thing is, I’ve grown increasingly bored since leaving, and I had a thought I couldn’t shake.” He angles his head and stares at Maines. “The night of Yara’s unfortunate death, I said something to Briar.”
I go deathly still, but my heart knocks as if it will break through my chest.
“Do you remember what I said?” he asks, staring directly at me.
No one responds, and the dark, rolling clouds begin to churn like a growing storm. The sea below us no longer resembles glass, but is a hurricane of pure chaos.
“Oh, you all are no fun,” Malachi teases. “If I can’t have Briar, I had an idea that drawing you to me against your will would be so much more amusing.”
I step forward. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
“I think I will,” he says, smiling maliciously.
“We will fucking kill you,” Silas warns. “This is a death sentence.”
Malachi leans forward, wrapping his arms around Maines’s shoulders. He tilts his head, smelling the nape of her neck, and uses his tongue to trace up the side of her jaw. She winces against his touch, and I hear her spit. A wetness coats his face, and Malachi takes his finger, wiping the spit off, before sticking his finger in his mouth.
“Yes, she will be just the entertainment I’m looking for,” he laughs.
I hear footsteps first as Oak races forward, faster than a bolt of lightning. He grinds his teeth and dives into his power, summoning a blinding light that rests in his palms.
“Come find me when you are ready, Briar,” Malachi calls. “We will be waiting.”
“Malachi,” I whisper.
“Tick-tock,” he smiles.
