His face is riddled with frustration, his brows turned in, his eyes pleading. I smile at him, putting my other hand up, holding his face close to mine. "We knew that sacrifices would have to be made. I'm not planning on dying. This is the best choice we have right now."
Kane lets out a long deep breath and leans his forehead to mine. "I hate the idea. It's ridiculous, and anyone else in this realm would absolutely refuse you. Still, you've got yet another thing that you hold, that without it, none of this is possible. The first time around it was your powers, your connection to Lux to open the tomb. Now, it's the dagger. The first time didn't turn out so well for us."
I shake my head. "No, but this time I'm the one making a choice. This time I'm walking into the situation, and I have no want for power, no lust for revenge, it's just me. It's just a human with an immortal soul trying to save the ones she loves the most."
Kane's hands come up, and he grips my face, looking at me intently. "This better work. It has to work."
Before I can say another word, he kisses me deeply, holding me as close to him as possible. I sink into him, releasing my control for just a moment, letting the connection between us wrap around our bodies. As he pulls back, his lips quiver, and he quickly drops his hands. He has better control than I do. I wish that we could be together before all of this happens, to let the connection between us fully reach its intended purpose, but I know it's impossible. My entire body aches for him.
He shakes his head, turning and heading from the room. At the door, he looks over his shoulder at me. "Going to clear my head. Your Soul Keeper is in a cage in the closet draped with cloth. The bird does not whistle or make a sound. Wait until dark, and then release it with the message."
Clasping my hands together in front of me to keep me from running after him, I nod my head and watch him leave. As soon as he does, I collapse to the ground, gripping my hand to my stomach. It's my idea, it's my sacrifice, but that doesn't mean I'm not terrified. I'm going to face Drogaem, and if I'm lucky, I'll end his life before he can end the others. I know full well that the likelihood of me surviving is practically nothing.
Chapter 20
Briar
Willem,
I'm hoping this letter finds you. If it does, then you know that my powers are strong. They may not be at their full capacity, but they are as strong as they're going to get. Kane knows of our communication, and he's thankful for your intervention during the attack on the city.
Unfortunately, that was just the beginning. Drogaem has portals set up to enter the mortal realm in multiple locations, starting at my family's estate. He plans to unleash the whole of his army on the humans, killing or taking prisoner whoever he wishes. From there, he will move from realm to realm, destroying, murdering, raping, and devouring everyone in his path.
We have a plan, but we need you for it. We need a distraction, an attack on the outside of the Castle. It's the only way that we will be able to keep Drogaem inside, and if we're lucky, destroy him. The Soul Keeper that brought you this message will know how to get back to me. Write a letter, strap it to his leg, and release him.
Briar
I tear off the excess paper and fold the letter, rolling it as small as I can. I'm nervous, but I have to make this work. Going over to the closet, I open it up and pull the fabric back, finding the Soul Keeper sitting on a perch within a small birdcage. His feathers ruffle for a moment, but I pick up the cage and stick my finger in, caressing its back to calm it. I set the cage on the desk and open up the small door, reaching in and grasping the bird around the wings to keep it from hurting itself. Clicking my tongue to the roof of my mouth, I nuzzle the bird's beak against my nose.
"You are important, you could save us."
Taking a small piece of leather, I secure the message to the Soul Keeper's leg and close my eyes. A small trickle of my energy flows from my palms, wrapping itself around the bird and sinking into its body. I think about Willem, drawing on my magic, directing the bird to find him. I imagine the bird flying, sensing Willem, pulling toward him. I open my eyes and take a deep breath, watching the light shimmer and fade away. That's all that I know to do.
Walking over to the window, I hold the bird to my chest, still thinking about its path. I look out at the dark crimson sky and reach my hands out. As I release the bird, its wings spreading wide as it flutters off, my door slams open behind me. I gasp, swinging around, pressing my back to the stone wall. I can feel the dagger against my thigh, and my fingers twitch, wanting so badly to grab it.
Drogaem storms across my room and I flinch, positive that he's about to punish me. The muscles in my face begin to release, though, and I remember who I am. I am the descendent of a goddess, and I am very done with being pushed around. I stand straight and square my shoulders, staring directly into Drogaem's eyes.
My defiance irritates him, and his lips snarls. I don't give him a chance to speak, though, he is no King to me. "You
