“Knife wounds,” Killian adds.
“Death threats.”
“Drowning.”
“Locked in a cupboard.”
I can’t believe this – they’re going back and forth listing things in a dry monotone. Killian’s even begun counting them off his fingers.
“A life – we saved her from slavery. We gave her a life,” I interject, trying to be the voice of reason.
Even if the reasons are weak.
“She’s still caged,” Killian says.
“And once we fix that, we have to take her back to the White Castle – people’s lives come before love.”
“We can’t keep her safe there, not from all harm,” I say, knowing it’s going to stir up this hornets’ nest.
Pax cracks his neck from side to side with false calm, and when he’s finished with the movement, his eyes are glowing, and his voice has deepened.
“She’s not leaving our side,” Thane says before Pax slips back into control.
“I know leaving us isn’t an option, but that doesn't mean she isn’t going to want to – or try to.”
“Then stop being such an ass and pause for a second to do more than scare off dangers and throw around orders,” I snap.
“There’s more,” Killian says, making us all freeze.
“More what?” I ask, uneasy in that almost queasy kind of way.
“The one thing to fight a grimm is something that’s finally dead,” he says.
Thane is far too present, his form shimmering over Pax’s. Making Pax’s hair turn coffee and ash, his skin prickle, and his eyes glow.
They’re not alone.
“The one thing to fight a grimm is something that’s finally dead.
Wait until your grief has passed, then – Seek the remnant beyond the border.
Speak to a man named Martin but believe the word of a bird.
Let your reflection go hazy in clear waters and see instead through a gray lens.
In Silvari glass is a blade that can pass, a soul that can kneel, and a world that can heal.
This is not a battle that can be won. Before this time can pass, the mortal soul from its beginnings cannot last. There is no way a soul can rule and live.
Because I heard what the Origin Spring said to the tallest forest tree – the key will be in the last of me.” Killian’s tone is naturally ominous – bone chilling.
My breathing has become sharp huffs, my mind pulling apart the words and reassembling them with different possibilities. But my body just wants to explode with a rush of feelings, betrayal among them.
“Why?” Pax asks. Pure disbelief shadows the words even though he looks angry as all Aeons.
There’s no response, the man staring up the hill toward the giant pine instead.
“Why!” Pax snaps.
Killian’s jaw sets hard, and I find the words spilling out of my mouth instead. “Because he doesn’t want her to die.” The air temperature drops.
Killian looks deadly, and wisps of smoke rise from his finger as he points at me. “In battle – she can die in battle!”
“What he means is with a fighting chance,” I hedge.
“But you never expected her to live?” Pax asks.
“It never mattered before.”
“The one thing to fight a grimm is something that’s finally dead,” I repeat. “I’m not sure that means she will die or be dead. Again,” I say.
She did die in the Spring as a baby. I felt the life leak from her – I’m sure of it. No matter how much Killian doesn’t agree with me.
“Or maybe she’s already in the state the prophecy is talking about?” I add.
Killian’s shaking his head, slowly lowering his finger and getting his shadows under control. He’s done so well at controlling them for years now – since Mother died.
“Is there anything else?” Pax asks, swallowing hard a few times, though Thane is still clearly on the surface.
The two of them are in a delicate balance that leaves Pax in control but Thane on the surface. I’m not sure if the sigil is helping them do that or not, but it’s not something I’ve seen for more than a few seconds before.
Interesting and worrying.
“Nothing.”
“The truth, brother!” Pax shouts.
Killian meets his gaze hard and repeats, “Nothing.”
And we believe him – because that’s what family does.
Pax buries his face in his hands and groans. “So our time is limited, no matter what.”
“It was always limited; she ages like a mortal. Her life is half over already,” I say, my own words cutting me as much as it is them.
“How do I hold on to her when the string is so short?” Pax asks.
“You can’t,” is Killian’s short reply.
“You don’t need to hold on to her, or own her, or keep her. You already have her. Have. It’s a present tense word for a reason,” I snap, picking up the map and preparing to storm off into the cottage. Fury rolls through me. Pax does have her. His power has connected, and she is so easily drawn towards the Alpha.
My storm is slowed by the reappearance of all the Sabers. Aria and Amber are talking amicably together in the lead. Rynn is behind them, heating small pebbles with her FireSeed and flicking them one by one into the stream. The water sizzles around the stone as it sinks to the bottom, falling in amongst other pebbles and the larger chunks of submerged granite, black against the natural creams and whites around them. All of which I should really investigate.
No stone unturned. That kind of thing.
I add searching the bottom of the stream to my list.
Lara and Teegan appear next, talking much more seriously – Lara with big hand movements and Teegan with her ever present seductive smile.
Last are Rose and Jada. Rose has her hands clasped behind her back, her gaze set on the horizon, the exit. Jada looks unaware of her posture, but I know that look on Jada’s face. Lips drawn to one side, hands in her pockets, taking a few sidesteps to give Rose her full attention, then a few forwards with her gaze thoughtfully on the ground.
The Sealer has diplomacy down to a fine art, but I’m
