I clapped my hands together. “Come on. We have a monster to kill. Kiss and make up so we can get this show on the road.”
“On the gods, Maeve,” Sawyer drawled, rolling his eyes towards the veil.
“I’m not budging until you both say you're sorry and we can put this behind us.” I glanced through the wall of ice. “And if I were you, I’d hurry up. That thing is getting closer.”
With a disgruntled grumble, Sawyer turned to Sebastian, outstretching a hand. “Talk later?”
Sebastian glowered at the sapphire embellished skin, and to my utmost surprise, took Sawyer’s hand and shook.
Not exactly what I hoped for, but it was progress. “Now apologize. Please.” I batted my lashes.
As they glared at one another in confusion with my timing, I peeked back through the ice. The Hykah had vanished from view, which meant it was likely maneuvering towards another archway.
“I probably shouldn't have punched you in the nose,” Sebastian muttered with his teeth clenched.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sawyer’s shrug.
“Probably shouldn't have kissed your girl.”
Sebastian scoffed before words poured from his lips, but I blocked him out. They would both be pissed at me, but I owed them this. I owed all of my loved ones this.
Mid argument—or reconciliation—I tore my arm to the side and broke free from Sebastian’s death grip. My legs took off in asprint down the corridor and I refused to look back as two sets of boots slammed against the marble floor after me.
“Fucking damnit, Maeve!” Sebastian called out, his irritation slipping free as the few seconds I granted myself put a great distance between us.
When I reached another archway that led outside, I paused to draw a deep breath, then I stepped into the open air, my dagger drawn.
The two controlling assholes made it to the archway just as I made my exit. I turned to them, holding a finger to my mouth, and despite the fear in their eyes, they didn’t move. They wouldn’t take any risks now that I was in close proximity to the creature.
The Hykah had its back to me, which I used to my advantage. I tiptoed sideways, keeping my back flush against the stone wall and a single palm extended outwards. I had the best chance at killing this thing, so if I didn’t try…
I took another step to the side, but lost my footing a bit in a rivet of cobblestone. My head crashed back into the wall, forcing my eyes to squeeze shut as I bit back a curse. When I reopened them, they were locked with a set of black ones.
The Hykah strode for me, its legs cracking and bending in unnatural angles. Itscreamed, spit flying from its mouth and landing in a glob in front of me.
Ew.
Using the godly power within me, I called upon the only star I could see. I sucked the sun into my veins, pulling as much in as I knew I would be able to control. When satisfied, I shot it free of my palm, aiming directly at the head of the Hykah.
My body burned with the blinding glow that emitted from my skin, but I held on to my power, drawing more starlight in and releasing it simultaneously.
I pushed my back deeper into the wall, using the pressure to ground myself and keep steady. The Hykah’s growls weakened and its body began to stumble as it still tried to approach me. With one last gush of power, it collapsed to the ground with a tremendous thud, splattering me with blood from its disintegrated skull.
Shaking from the expulsion of power, I dropped my arms, allowing the panic I’d been ignoring to at last flow in. I tucked my dagger away so I could rub my limbs in a feeble attempt to self-soothe.
Sebastian ran through the archway and, though I knew he was angry, he pulled me into an embrace. His rough palm held my head into his chest, cradling me. “You will pay for that later,” he hissed the promise when he released me.
Over his shoulder, Sawyer stood by the dead Hykah. He kicked its arm with his boot, just to be sure. “Why didn’t its whole body turn to ash like everything else you burn with starlight?” he asked without looking at me.
“My aim has gotten better.” I approached him, tapping his arm so that he spun to face me, then I pulled him into a hug as well. He needed it just as much as Sebastian did after everything I’d put them through lately.
“That was stupid,” he muttered.
“I know,” I answered, releasing him.
I exhaled over the Hykah’s body, then crouched down by its torso. I pulled my dagger from its sheath, then slid it over the creature's wrinkled flesh.
“Oh for the love of the gods, Maeve. What are you doing?” Sebastian’s voice conveyed his disgust.
