The worst part of it all—this was his fault. He’d known he was pushing himself too hard. He just didn’t realize he was making himself fucking useless in the process.
Next time he looked for Immortals, he would take more breaks from the God Finder. Because this time he’d plunged forward, every time he saw a glimpse of an Immortal in a vision, and was shot back out of the vision, he pressed back in. He’d done it over and over again for weeks, determined to pull all the pieces together enough to see where to find them.
Because of that feeling.
When his stomach calmed, he peered out of the cave entrance. The angels seemed to have vanished an hour earlier, but he could never be sure about the slimy little creatures. As weak as he felt, he couldn’t risk giving away their hiding place. If they found them, and he was unable to fight, everything they’d done would be for nothing.
And yet, he couldn’t escape the nagging feeling he’d had the last few weeks. The one that said their time was drawing to an end. That the battle between the realms would rage soon, and without the Immortals, they’d lose.
He wanted to believe the feeling was nothing more than anxiety, but he knew better. His druid’s staff might have been broken, still lying in pieces in the sanctuary, but his powers still lay within him. And they screamed that he needed to keep pushing himself, no matter the price, or all would be lost.
But I won’t be useful to them if I can’t help.
As the sun set, its rays painting the top of the burnt mountaintop, Surcy and Daniel came over the edge. He moved without thinking, walking out to greet them. Surcy ran into his arms, holding him tightly, and Daniel patted his back, with a smile. He sensed a change within them. They seemed… closer.
It made him happy. When he died, they’d need each other.
“So, what’s the plan now?” he asked, forcing the words past his tired lips.
“We take them to the sanctuary,” Surcy said, no doubt in her voice. “Do you think they’re strong enough to climb down a little?”
I know I’m not.
“No.”
She nodded. “Then, I hope they aren’t afraid of heights, because I can teleport them after they jump.”
“We aren’t,” Spring emerged from the cave, followed by the other Immortals. “But we can’t go to the sanctuary first.”
Surcy frowned. “Why?”
“We need to go to our sacred island to regain our strength.”
“You’ll be exposed to Caine and the angels. They could take you back at any moment.”
Spring smiled. “It’s the only way we can regain our strength, and we’re certain it’s where the gargoyle will take Summer.”
Surcy looked like she wanted to keep arguing.
But Daniel answered. “Alright, we can take you there, but we need to leave as quickly as possible.”
Spring nodded.
Autumn and Winter came to stand at their sides, looking as if they might collapse at any moment.
“Show me where you need me to teleport you,” Surcy said, moving toward them. “And I can take you one at a time over the edge.”
Autumn stiffened and moved in front of Spring. “You can teleport?” His eyes narrowed. “Are you an angel?”
Surcy paled. “I was an angel. I turned my back on Caine.”
Instantly tension sang through the air. Mark looked between the Immortals and Surcy.
Uh oh.
17
Surcy stared at the Immortals. They looked… upset. Her stomach churned, and for some reason, she felt ashamed.
I didn’t choose to be an angel. They can’t possibly hold it against me. Could they?
“I’m no longer serving Caine because I have to; I’m serving a cause I believe in.”
“Which explains your missing wings.” Spring reached out and touched her back lightly.
Surcy winced and nodded.
Autumn crossed his arms over his chest. “And we’re really just supposed to accept that?”
She didn’t know what to say. It was almost surreal. She’d lost so much when she lost her wings, and yet, she was still seen as an enemy by these Immortals. Is that how the rest of her life would be? The thought made the weight on her shoulders feel heavier.
“You can always stay here,” Daniel said, indicating the mountain. His tone dripping with sarcasm. “I mean, sure we risked our lives to save all of you, but if the fact that she’s an angel bothers you that much, stay here. Keep wasting away. Keep starving. Why the fuck should we care?”
Winter held out her hands. “Enough! Apologize, Autumn.”
Autumn glared.
“Apologize you angry old, shifter!” Daniel ordered.
Autumn kept glaring, but mumbled out an apology.
Winter nodded. “Sorry, he gets cranky when he doesn’t eat. And he’s been hungry for a long time.”
Surcy tried to push away the hurt his words had brought, but they lingered. At least you have Daniel here to defend you. Glancing back at his angry expression made her sadness ease. It was actually kind of nice to see his temper directed at someone else.
A little laugh exploded from her lips.
His gaze jerked to her. “What?”
“Nothing,” but she couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
Like a force of nature, he came to her, sweeping her hair back from her neck and kissing her until her knees went weak. When he pulled back, she clung to the front of his shirt.
“Wow.”
“Maybe that’ll teach you not to laugh at me.”
Unable to help herself, she slid her hands down his chest. “Or maybe I’ll tease you more.”
Suddenly, arms wrapped around them. She turned to find Mark grinning like mad. “You two made up!”
“We weren’t fighting!” Surcy protested.
Daniel reached out and ruffled Mark’s hair. “Yeah, we made up.”
Mark kissed Surcy’s neck in just the right spot to send tingles through her body. “Good.”
“We might want to continue this when everyone is safe,” Daniel said, but there was humor in his voice.
“Of course,” Mark pulled back and fiddled with his glasses, giving them both a tired smile.
Surcy wanted to pull them both back to her again. She wanted to inhale their familiar scents and feel
