Firelight

I pay attention then, and hear them, too. Xander’s voice, and the others descending the rock, looking for us.

On another breath, Cassian commands, “We must go. Now, Jacinda.”

Tamra watches, strangely quiet.

Understanding that I’m about to leave — probably for good — Will seizes my hand, forces me around, his expression fierce. “No, Jacinda. Don’t do it. Don’t think it. Don’t leave with him.”

His grip on my hand tightens with each word.

His image blurs, and I blink tears, fight against the thick sob rising up in my chest.

“I won’t let you—”

Words rise on my lips, words I keep in. I can’t stay, Will. Not now. I’m sorry, so sorry. I wish I could say them. Wish he could understand.

Still, it’s as though he heard me. “No, Jacinda!” His gaze swings to where Cassian stands just beyond me. His lip curls. “You’re going with him. Back to the pride.” He says this like I’m heading into my death. And in some ways, I realize, leaving with Cassian is just that.

“No!” Tamra shouts from off to the side, as if she’s waking from a dream, beginning to grasp the situation.

I shake my head, stroking Will’s face with fire gold fingers, trying to reassure him.

“I won’t let him have you.”

Cassian takes a menacing step toward us, growling in draki speech, even though Will can’t understand, “You haven’t a say in this, human.” His gaze shifts then, his dark eyes bleeding into me, and despite his promise to not force me into anything against my will, unease trickles through me at the dark possession glowing there.

Will sees it, too. He breaks from me and surges toward Cassian in a crippled stagger.

“You don’t own her,” Will mutters darkly.

Cassian sees then what I’ve already marked. The purple blood dripping down Will’s face, dribbling like ink from a pen. He sees. He understands, knows Will is no ordinary human. I hold my breath, hoping he won’t react—

With a roar, Cassian charges Will. I jump between them just before they collide, press a hand on each of their chests, feel their hearts jump wildly against my palms.

“Stop it! Both of you! Cassian, no!”

Will clutches my hand, presses it hard over his heart as he looks at me intently from his bloodied face. I blink and look away, unable to stare at all that purple blood…evidence of the life his father stole for him.

A throbbing growl swells from Cassian. I hold up a finger in warning, as if that will be enough to discourage him from ripping Will apart. Then I hear my name being called. And Will’s. Closer.

Will looks in the direction of the voices, clearly alarmed. “Did they see you like this?” His good eye fixes on me, glassy bright. “Did Xander see you?”

“Of course!” Tamra hisses, her face unnaturally pale. “She did it to save you!”

Will still looks to me, seeking confirmation from me. I nod once, the motion jerky and pained.

His whole body sags then, the fight gone. He drops his head and drags his hands through his hair. “Jacinda.” He says my name so softly, sad and broken as he finally understands.

I’m dead if I stay. We both know there is no choice now. I have to go.

Footsteps grow nearer. A stampede of them. I withdraw from Will and edge toward Cassian.

“Jacinda.” Will’s voice is strangled now, thick with emotion. He looks prepared to snatch me back against him, and a part of me wants that, craves that despite everything.

I stare starkly into his eyes, conveying what I don’t dare say in front of Cassian. He totters too close to the brink already. I love you. Even if I shouldn’t. Even if stolen draki blood feeds your life.

Will understands. I see it in his eyes. And his pain. The same pain I feel.

Staring hard into his eyes, I shake my head, sorry for the chance we lost. The chance we maybe never had. But not for saving him. I would do that again, no matter the cost.

I leave Cassian’s side then and rush to Will. Don’t care that Cassian watches me. Quickly, I speak close to his lips in my language, “I love you.” I yearn to kiss him, to press my fiery lips to his but dare not try it.

He stiffens against me, pain written all over the mess of a face. He grabs my face in his hands. Holds me. “It’s not over. We’re not through, Jacinda.” His eyes blister, glitter darkly. “I’ll find you. I will. We’ll be together again.”

“Let’s go!” Tamra shouts.

My eyes ache, burn. Impossible as it seems, I want it to be true. And I shouldn’t. Because it can’t be. He can’t come after me. He’ll die if he does.

I shake my head no, but the gesture lacks conviction.

His fingers press deeper into my sharpened cheeks. “Never doubt it. I’ll find you.”

“Jacinda!” Cassian snarls. “They’re coming!”

I pull away, the pain in my chest so deep, such a coiling, twisting mass that my lungs can’t squeeze out a breath. Will’s hands slide from my face.

Cassian’s already lifted off, rising on the air above me with Tamra in his arms.

I watch Will as long as I can, holding his stare as I work my wings and push off the ground, ascend into brittle-thin air. Still, I look down, watch him until he’s barely distinguishable. Until he’s gone from sight completely.

We fly a few miles until Cassian motions downward and we descend to the car he left parked along a forgotten road.

In a blink, he demanifests.

I struggle to do the same, resting a hand on the car for support. It takes me longer because I’m too upset. Shaken. I close my eyes and concentrate. See myself human. Finally, I feel my wings fold back inside me. I gasp at the intense pressure.

Heat fades from my core, and I open my eyes to find Tamra glaring at me.

“How could you?” She trembles, so pale, and I worry that she might collapse. I’ve never seen her this way, and guilt stabs my heart. For all I’ve put her through…

“Get in. Both of you,” Cassian growls, pulling open the driver’s door and taking the keys from where he tucked them in the visor.

Tamra gets in the backseat.

I don’t budge. Remain standing near the driver’s door, shivering in the desert night, my clothes lost, lying ripped somewhere on the desert floor.

He jams the keys into the ignition with his big hand. Stares up at me. “Jacinda.” Like he’s talking to a child. And I hate him. Truly hate him. “Get in the car. Let’s go.”

“You did this!”

He rolls his eyes. “Not on purpose. But am I glad I ruined your little romance with that murderer? Hell yeah. You bet.” I shake my head even as he nods roughly, his face harsh in the flat dark. “What is he? A hunter?” His voice lashes me in a clawing swipe. “How does he have the blood of our kind, Jacinda? How?”

“Will’s not a murderer.” This I know deep in my soul. Because I know Will. “He’s… not.” That’s all I can say, all I can defend. Because I can’t deny the truth. Will is a hunter. And more. So much more.

“Murderer?” Tamra calls from the backseat, her voice shrill. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s a butcher,” Cassian announces.

I want to hit him. Hurt him. The way I hurt. A surge of burn fuels my lungs. Scared that I might do just that, I take a step back from the car. “You don’t understand.”

His eyes glitter purple, the pupils shrinking to slits. “Get in the car. You can’t stay here. Not after tonight.”

I swallow down the burn from my lungs. Nod. The choice has been made for me. “I know that.” Moving around the front of the car, I mutter, “Hurry. We have to get to Mom.”

“Why?”