Shay was standing apart from us. Tristan had an arm around his son’s shoulders, while Sarah was still clasping Shay’s hand. I met Shay’s gaze, finding his own sorrow there. And a question.
It was a question flickering in my own heart as well.
Had Ren’s death changed what I felt for Shay?
Meeting his moss green eyes, I had my answer.
Love wasn’t forged by circumstance or changed by sorrow. It simply was. Fierce and free as the wolf within me.
My love for Ren had been real. We shared a bond, a history. Losing him would leave scars on my heart forever. But I was a warrior, and love’s scars weren’t so different from battle scars.
At so many junctures I’d been given a choice: to follow my heart or leave Shay behind, forsaking my passion for the life I thought I was destined for. Every decision had drawn me closer to him and pulled me away from the world I’d known.
Those choices had led us here. I stood in the rubble of my well-ordered life, gazing at the boy who had changed everything.
And knew that I loved him still.
As Adne knelt beside my packmates near Ren’s body, I went to Shay. He held out his arms to me and I stepped into them, lifting my hands to touch his face.
“You didn’t die.” I forced a smile. “I told you so.”
“I know,” he said. “What happens now?”
“We live.” I pulled his face to mine, letting my lips touch his gently.
His fingers traced the tear tracks on my cheeks. “I love you, Calla.”
“Sarah!”
I looked up to see Anika running toward us, or rather toward Shay’s mother. The Arrow threw her arms around Sarah Doran. The two women clung to each other, laughing and crying. When they finally parted, Tristan grinned at Anika-he had the same mischievous, curving grin as Shay.
“I missed you too, Anika,” he said. She hugged him, and when he stepped back, he glanced at the iron compass rose hanging from her neck. “I see you’ve been promoted.”
Anika laughed, turning to Shay. “How did you reach them?”
“I don’t know,” Shay said. “When I pushed Bosque into the Rift, he was gone and I was standing in front of my parents.”
“Standing where?” I asked.
Shay glanced at his parents. “To me it just looked like a dark, empty room.”
“You stepped into the oblivion. Betwixt and between,” Sarah said. “You broke open our prison.”
Anika nodded, her face solemn as she spoke to Shay. “You crossed over.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Bosque imprisoned us in the emptiness between the earth and the Nether,” Tristan said. “We
Shay went very still. I took his hand, twining my fingers with his.
“Are you in pain?” Anika asked, her eyes moving over Tristan and Sarah.
“No,” Sarah said. “Our torment wasn’t physical. It was separation from the people we loved. Seeing them and knowing we couldn’t do anything to protect them. Especially our son.”
“You could see me?” Shay asked. “Was the painting like a two-sided mirror?”
“No.” Sarah smiled at him sadly. “More like a waking dream.”
“The passing of time wasn’t clear,” Tristan said. “And we couldn’t know if what we saw was the truth or a form of torture Bosque had devised for us.”
“Calla! Bryn!” Ansel was running toward us, waving. Bryn shrieked her joy, opening her arms. But a huge brown and silver wolf was streaking toward him from the side. My father shifted forms, lifting Ansel off his feet as he ran and clutching my brother against his chest.
“Dad!” Ansel threw his arms around our father.
Bryn and I ran to meet them. My father pulled us into their hug. The four of us stood together, holding on to each other as we shook with tears and laughter.
Ansel broke free when Shay approached us. “Hey! You did it!”
But Shay was frowning.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
His shoulders tightened. “Anika says it’s not over yet.”
TWENTY-NINE
AS NEWS OF THE BATTLE’S END spread, Searchers began gathering around us. Some stood in groups, speaking quietly and gazing around the destroyed library in awe. Others moved quickly into the practical work of recovery, gathering up the piles of books that were strewn across the floor and carting them away. Still others had assigned themselves to burial duty, solemnly carrying out the remains of the Fallen, now returned to their natural state.
“What do you mean it’s not over?” My skin prickled.
Anika strode past us. “Come with me.”
We followed her to all that remained of the library wall. The stone fireplace, solitary and austere, appeared untouched by the force that had destroyed so much of the estate.
I leaned over to Bryn and whispered, “Get the others.” Growing anxiety snaked through my veins.
“I don’t understand,” Shay said. “Bosque is gone. He’s banished. So are his monsters.” He gestured at the quiet darkness of the empty fireplace. “The Rift is gone.”
“Not gone,” Anika said. “Closed.”
“As in, it could be opened again?” I asked.
She nodded at me but spoke to Shay. “That’s why you have to seal it.”
His eyes narrowed. “How?”
“The Rift can’t be destroyed, but the Elemental Cross serves as a lock, sealing it off from our world.”
I relaxed a little when Bryn rejoined us, bringing my packmates as well as Connor, Adne, and Ethan with her. Anika glanced at the Guardians and then turned a sharp look on the Searchers. Ethan dropped his gaze, fidgeting, and Connor raked a nervous hand through his hair.
What was going on?
Adne met my questioning gaze without flinching, but there was a sadness in her eyes-a new sadness that had nothing to do with her brother’s death-that raised my hackles.
“What if someone opens it?” Shay asked.
“You’re the only one who can retrieve the swords.” Anika traced the crossed swords emblazoned on her necklace. “No one else will be able to open it.”
“So don’t go to the dark side,” Connor said. “ ’Kay?”
Adne dug her elbow into his ribs. He shot her a warning look. Now I had no doubt they were hiding something.
I leveled my gaze on Anika, putting strength into my voice. “And that’s all?”
She could only match my steadiness for a moment before she pulled her eyes away.
Shay caught it too. “What?”
Tension rippled through the room. My packmates threw nervous glances at me. My nails dug into my palms. Beside me my father growled.
“Is this a betrayal?” He glared at Anika.
“No!” She drew herself up, assuming an authoritative air. “It is simply what must be.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Shay took a step toward her.
