I scoff. “You know what? Never mind. Go ahead, send your little wasted search parties. What do I care?”
Sinner lifts a brow. “Just fucking spit it out. What makes you think we won’t find the source?”
“Because it’s not a fucking garden that can be planted wherever one chooses.”
“What does that mean?” Knight presses.
What are they not understanding?
“I told you guys the curse is in the soil. That soil is cursed because of what it hides, and those flowers were born of the curse as a way of protection. They were created by nature itself.”
“So, nature could have felt it needed protection and bloomed them at our site.”
“Wrong.” I shake my head. “They exist only as a form of defense. They protect the forbidden gems. It’s the only reason it exists. It’s why you have no knowledge or history or proof of its existence.”
Creed’s expression begins to fall. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that was concern in his eyes. He turns to Legend. “And where are thesegems?”
“I got a feeling we’re not gonna like what she’s about to say,” Sinner begins, a grin on his lips. “But go on, chaos queen–”
“Do not call her queen.” Creed snaps.
“Speak, Haide,” Knight commands.
I glare at him, something sizzling beneath my skin, but then Legend’s knuckles find my chin and he tips my head up. Blue eyes lock with mine and my limbs settle.
“Where are the gems, little monster?”
“Where they were born. On Exile Island.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Haide
Complete and totalsilence.
Creed’s magic presses against my forehead as he seeks entry, searching for the truth that he clearly finds. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“That you’ve got a problem.”
He gets in my face. “You are my fucking problem, little girl,” he hisses so only I can hear. “And he will see the truth soon.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“I willmakehim.”
Anger, hot and swift, sweeps through me, and I’m five seconds from seeing if that little knife trick will work again. Only this time, I’ll take the handle in my palm and drive it through this asshole’s neck.
But before I can try, the cavern opens abruptly, a hollow pocket carved into the hillside. The scent shifts; the rot is still there but it’s mixed with a metallic tang. Only that’s not all. There is something beneath it. something that doesn’t fit but is distinctly familiar. Threading through the stench like a whisper of salt.
Oceanwater.
I close my eyes and it’s as if I’m back on the island. My breath snags at the thought, chest locking for a beat.
An unexpected panic slices through me—because what thehell?
Since when did the idea of going back become a feeling of dread?
It’s not like I want to stay here.
