When he sensed the one who had abused him and his people may remember and be able to recognize him.
She wanted to hold him close. He may have ended her life, but she couldn’t help but understand. What would she have done? If she’d been faced with the same fear, the same hatred, she may have done exactly as he had. She couldn’t hate him for wanting to pick up his sword.
And with her memories still jumbled, Silva couldn’t remember why she’d been bound and thrown into the world in the first place. Maybe … maybe it was because of what she’d done to them.
“Run,” she whispered.
“What?”
“They’ll never let you go. Find a way … some way, to get home.”
“I …”
“Run, Heath.”
Kieran lowered her to the ground, his eyes filled with silvery tears. “I’m sorry.”
But then he was gone, moving as fast as his wounds would let him get to the edge of the circle. He wouldn’t be released until she was gone, but he could prepare.
“Bring a portal!”
“You’re not getting away, you fucking bastard.”
“Silva!”
The voices were so loud, and she couldn’t tell who was screaming as it all happened at once. Silva forced her head to turn and find Kalinda. Her girl was just steps away on the other side of the circle. She cried on her knees, reaching as close to the circle as she dared.
“I love you, chocolate drop.”
Kalinda’s watery chuckle warmed Silva’s fading heart.
“I love you too. I heard … what he said.”
“Let him go, Kalinda.” Silva didn’t hear the response. She was too tired. “I’m sorry I’m going to see you on the other side so soon.”
Because for one to die, the other would too. And that’s what Silva regretted more than anything. Kalinda would suffer because of Silva’s mistake.
Asherah, I won’t be able to keep my promise.
Giuliana grabbed Kalinda and yanked her to her feet just as the circle’s power faded and Silva stared at them with sightless eyes. Kalinda wailed, her body bowing like it’d been electrocuted.
“Romano!”
The wolf skidded to a stop in his pursuit of Kieran sliding toward a portal and raced back to Kalinda’s side.
“Mate.”
Kalinda wasn’t listening. She foamed at the mouth, her body jerking back and forth. She had no wounds, but with each passing second, she grew more ashen.
“She’s dying. Help her!”
Giuliana was already moving, laying Kalinda on the ground as softly as she could. Pandemonium ensued around them as the wolves fought with the Renegades and the dark Fae who protected Kieran’s retreat. But all Giuliana could afford to focus on was the Ales.
Kalinda was unresponsive, and Giuliana spread her hands over Kalinda’s chest until they glowed green. She called on every bit of healing power she had. Zahara tossed lightning bolts at the Fae, driving them back and widening the space around Kalinda and Giuliana until there was a buffer of silence.
“Kieran!”
But he was gone, having slipped into a portal. His Fae and the Renegades went with him as well, zapping out of Scorched Earth instantly.
