“He’s just protecting his people.”
The words taste bitter, but they’re true. Anxo’s first instinct has always been to keep his people safe. I just thought August and I were a part of that.
Maybe someday I’ll forgive him for humiliating me like this, but I’ll never forgive him for breaking my trust… for breaking my family.
“I’ll come with you—” I stop Seiji and step back from him.
“No. You have to stay here. I’ll have my hands full with August, and I can’t worry about your safety, too.”
Grace hasn’t stopped crying since I walked in, and as much as I hate to see them hurting because of me, I can’t stay here any longer. The stares, the snickering, the underhanded comments are getting harder to ignore.
“I’ll take you to the portal,” Anxo says, stepping forward.
“The fuck you will,” Seiji snaps, blocking him.
“Only a Horseman can open them after they collapsed yesterday,” Anxo replies calmly.
“I’ll do it.”
Akihiko Nakaya, Horseman of Famine, strides toward me. Idon’t know how I didn’t notice him before. I search his face for the same hatred and disgust I’ve seen on so many, but all I find is… regret.
Regret for what?
I let Grace hug me one last time, and she makes it impossible to stay strong when she breaks down in my arms. Once I manage to pry her off me, I turn to say goodbye to Seiji, but he storms off before I can.
I grab the smaller suitcase with August’s things and throw Grace one last watery smile over my shoulder.
“Wait—” she calls, dragging the other suitcase behind her. “You didn’t take your bag.”
I place my hand over hers, stopping her. “Grace, I came here with nothing. I’ll leave the same way.”
The only reason I’m keeping August’s bag is because I’ll never put my pride over his comfort.
Suddenly, August breaks free from my hold and bolts toward Anxo. My breath catches as I watch him run to someone he still considers family, and raw terror grips me. Releasing my essence, I send it racing to shield him, worried about how the Horseman will react.
It takes August only a second to place his toy at Anxo’s feet before running back to me, but I don’t dare to breathe until he’s in my arms again. I quickly pick him up, holding him close.
A flicker of hurt flashes in Anxo’s eyes. He doesn’t look at the toy; instead, he’s staring at my Divine circling August like my essence has offended him.
It’s not my fault.Hedestroyed the trust between us.
The emotion is gone as fast as it broke through Anxo’s defenses, and the version of him that broke my heart and family shows his face again.
A sharp pinch in my head grows into a painful throb with each step I take away from him. But I don’t let it falter my steps. I leave the castle without looking at anyone, quietly following the man in front of me as he walks me to the nearest portal.
Papa Nakaya surprises me by opening the portal to a housein the middle of nowhere. When I look at him in confusion, he says it’s Harvey’s old house in the human realm, and I can stay here until I can find something permanent.
How generous of my best friend, who didn’t even blink before turning his back on me.
The ache in my chest that’s been growing since morning has dulled everything to the point that I don’t feel anything anymore. I don’t have the energy to feel angry, hurt, or betrayed. I’m just… numb.
Still, I’m grateful for the house. I’m in no shape to search for a safe place, and this is the only good thing to happen today, so I’ll take it.
Papa Nakaya doesn’t stay long. He gives me a key and reaches for a hug, but I step back and walk into the house without looking back, slamming the door on that life behind me.
I’m always prepared to be left alone. Sure, what happened is heartbreaking, but it’s not surprising.
Maybe I should thank my fears. In the end, they were nothing but premonitions of the worst times to come. The voice in my head always knew I’d lose him. It kept warning me, but I was too damn happy to listen.
