“Why?” She rushes away, speaking over her shoulder. Anger rolls off of her in waves.
“Because there’s an order to the world – to nature.” I catch up with her in a few long strides.
“But it was me asking – your future bride,” Briar spits out. She says the word like it left a foul taste in her mouth.
I grind my teeth in frustration. Her mother was never going to live long, her body was sick and had been for some time. But I know that won’t put Briar at ease. It may make things worse. “I couldn’t do it, Briar,” I say, taking her arm and tugging her to a stop.
She resists for a moment before she pivots to face me. I catch her wrist in my free hand before her palm connects with my cheek. She’s breathing hard, chest heaving, cheeks flushed. “You’re Death,” she whispers. “It’s your own dominion.”
“I heard you calling,” I lie. “But my duty is to keep a balance in the world, not to do as I please. If I spared one person, suddenly I would be expected to spare everyone. As difficult as it is to accept, it couldn’t have been any other way.”
Briar's lips tremble, and I see the mask of fury threatening to fall. She pulls out of my grasp and rushes down the path. I follow, refusing to let her out of my sight in this forest. But I leave distance between us, knowing that even my presence causes her pain. I can feel it through the bond like my heart is being torn into a thousand pieces. And it hurts more than anything I've ever felt.
Suddenly, the forest opens up into a broad clearing. Saplings are growing in the meadow, their trunks as tall as me and wiry. In the center, a sprawling structure lies. Huge blocks of stones have collapsed from the highest tower and the rooftop, permanent features of the clearing and props for wild grasses. Vines crawl up the gray stone and into broken windows. Briar stops in her tracks, and I feel a rush of trepidation from her. The fortress is imposing and wholly unwelcoming.
“Shall we catch ourselves a Nephilim?” Willem asks with a wicked grin.
“It’s huge,” Aiden complains. “It will take all day to search.”
He’s right, I concede silently. By nightfall, I want to be far away from this fortress. “We split into two groups, it will go faster that way. Aiden go with Willem. He’ll keep an eye on you.”
“Great,” Willem groans.
“Do I have to?” Aiden frowns. “I’d rather stay with Briar.”
“Let’s get going, we should be back at the inn by nightfall,” I say, ignoring him.
We enter the gaping hole that once served as the grand entrance to the fort together. The main chamber isn’t large, but the ceiling stretches high enough that our voices and footsteps echo loudly. I run my tongue over my teeth, worried that the Nephilim might hear us as we search. I can only hope he’s too exhausted or high on mortal souls to notice. Bringing Briar wasn’t wise, but I certainly wasn’t going to leave her alone at the inn. I don’t want her out of my sight while in the mortal realm.
“Quietly,” I whisper, eyeing Aiden.
He rolls his eyes, but I don’t hear his movements as he and Willem take the left hall. Briar and I turn to the right, following the crumbling staircase upwards to the second floor of the tower. “Step where I step,” I murmur to Briar, meeting her gaze.
She furrows her brows and nods tightly. She’s still angry – and she has a right to be. I won’t deprive her of that. I ascend lightly, careful to test the stone steps before putting my full weight on them. I want to be certain Briar won’t fall. Soberly, Briar and I pick our way up the stairs. At the top, I brush aside a cobweb and stare into the shadows. It will difficult for Briar to see. I consider taking her hand, but I suspect she’ll refuse it. Her eyes will just have to adjust. I start forward after ensuring the room is clear. It’s a small chamber, doors on each wall leading into rooms beyond.
Behind me, Briar curses as she trips over some of the rubble and broken furniture. I grin softly, amused by the foul word escaping her sweet lips. A cold wind howls through the fortress, sounding like a ghostly moan. Briar freezes behind me and I can smell her sudden fear. It smells delicious. I slip into the next room, eyes scanning over the space for any sign of the Nephilim. The wall on the right has a massive fireplace, piles of ashes still dirtying the hearth. Ratted and broken chairs obscure my view, and I circle the room cautiously.
Suddenly, Briar screams and my hair stands on end at the sound.
She isn’t with me.
“Briar?” I call, whirling around.
I leap over the furniture, rushing back into the hall. Her heartbeat and scent lead me across it, into a room I hadn't explored yet. And all of a sudden I feel my own dark fear making my heart hammer. Claws extended and shadows at my heels, I sprint towards the door. Warning bells ring as I approach and I skid to a halt at the last moment. An inch from the tip of my boot, the floor ends. It probably collapsed years ago from rot. In the darkness, I can make Briar out. She screams again, scrambling backward. A sharp sob echoes towards me, but it's not sorrow – it's fear. Pure and raw and electrifying. But this time, it feels devastating.
“Briar?” I shout.
“Kane,” she cries, her voice warbling. “Oh, Gods, Kane, get me out of here!”
“I’m coming, stay calm,” I say, trying to sound reassuring.
She cries, breath hitching with each sob. I drop down to the ground below, using my
