[Hindrick’s POV]‘Hindrick.’I stop moving entirely as Fineon’s voice suddenly pops into my head.‘What the hell do you want?’If he was contacting me just to rub in my defeat, I didn’t have the time or patience for it. I intended to get my team together and make my way toward Fulgor Island to examine exactly what was happening there.Since I knew that Fallon would be safe here, I could leave with peace of mind. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.‘We need your assistance," Fineon responds.My assistance? What could I possibly do that he couldn’t?"Go on.’‘We’ve found the sword needed to kill Mateo, but there is a problem.’I wait as he grows quiet and waits for me to respond again.What the actual hell?‘Go on,’ I snap. ‘Say everything you need together instead of in pieces.’If there was one thing that really pissed me off, it was people wasting my time, and right now that was exactly what this asshole was doing.‘Can you sense my location?’For a moment, I begin to ext
[Fallon’s POV][Five Minutes Prior]I watch as Anika and Fineon try to explain everything to Hindrick. Seeing his face leaves me hurting as I remember what happened with us earlier in the night. And even though I know that I shouldn't, I find myself wanting to beg for his forgiveness for making him hurt so badly for so many years.From the look on his face, I can tell that he is on guard. His eyes, which stay locked with mine, are full of distrust toward Anika. But along with that distrust, there is something more, but I can't quite figure out what it is.Instantly, I find myself wishing that I could show him that she wasn’t the enemy, but knowing Hindrick, anyone he didn’t know was considered that. Since we were young, he always had an impenetrable wall around him, and why wouldn't he? Everyone walked on eggshells around him out of fear that he would end up just like his parents."Hindrick," I sigh."Poor boy."Gasping, I whirl around to find Mateo standing behind me."How?" I demand
[Fineon’s POV]"What the hell did you do to her?"I watch in disbelief as Tyson’s men begin to lift themselves from the ground where they had been fighting to keep Fallon in place only minutes prior."Why isn’t she moving?"Rushing forward, I collapse beside Fallon, pulling her into my arms while baring my teeth at the warriors that stand around looking bored."She will be fine," one responds. "It’s just a sedative."A sedative. Great, she was going to be fine. Well, as fine as she could be given her current state."She needs to be locked up," the other announces. "She is a danger to everyone.""You’ve got to be kidding me!" I snarl, grasping her tightly against my chest. "She isn’t a danger!"As the words leave my lips, the guards give me looks. They clearly scream that I’m blind, and maybe I was, but the thought of Fallon being trapped in a cold cell didn’t sit right with me."They’re right, Fineon."My anger rises as I watch Tyson enter the room with a look of sympathy on his face.
[Fineon’s POV]I stare down at Fallon’s pain-filled face and find myself at a loss. Even though she herself was insisting on burning the mark that marred her skin, I still couldn’t bring myself to agree to it. Maybe if she had her wolf still, this choice would be easier, but as nothing more than a human, she wouldn’t be able to heal quickly."There has to be another way."The only option couldn’t have possibly been burning it off, right? Wasn’t this a curse like the one that Armia set? If so, did that mean that it could be broken with Mateo’s blood?"The only other option is cutting the skin off," Tyson responds.Cutting off her skin... I didn’t know which was worse, cutting or burning. Both would leave Fallon in an insurmountable amount of pain."Something that doesn’t involve risking her life," I snap. "Can’t we simply break whatever spell this is?""Spell?" Tyson repeats in confusion. "What makes you think that this is a spell?""Because it is, isn’t it?"Mateo was able to control
[Hindrick’s POV]The world around me faded in and out. I could tell that I was being moved around, but I wasn’t exactly sure where I was being taken. Not that it mattered. The only thing that mattered to me was finding Fallon and making sure she was okay.Feeling my heart do a somersault, I tried to fight against the heaviness that was weighing my body down."Fal…" I rasp, but stop as a coughing fit hits me.Instantly, I feel pressure against my neck, followed by the feeling of warmth seeping from it into my body."Quit being stubborn and let me treat you."Uncle Ramone’s voice washes over me, stopping all my actions.I was back in Langley. Did that mean that the others were as well?Another wave of worry hits me, spurring me to finally manage to pry my eyes open to find Uncle Ramone and Tyson standing over me with looks of relief on their faces."Where?" I rasp, wanting to make sure that we are actually back home."Langley," Uncle Ramone confirms. "You’re in the palace’s infirmary."
[Hindrick’s POV]I continued to take in Fallon’s devastated face for another minute before releasing her chin and getting to my feet."I’m leaving," I announce, turning my attention to Uncle Ramone. "Now.""What?" he gasps as I maneuver my way around Fallon and Fineon. "Where do you think you’re going? You still have to...""I’m going to Grishan to speak with Elleric about getting an army together to join our own, and then I’m heading to Fulgor Island."As I spoke, I could hear Uncle Ramone following close behind me. From the sounds of annoyance he was releasing, I knew he didn’t approve of my decision, but I truly didn’t give a damn."Are you trying to die before you can take over Langley?" he growls, falling into step beside me. "If you interfere with my plans for retirement, I’ll bring you back to life and kill you myself.""Retirement," I huff, rolling my eyes. "I don’t remember agreeing to be your successor."I supposed now was as good a time as any to voice what I wanted in rega
[Fallon’s POV]"Hindrick!" I gasp, attempting to get up as he disappears out of the infirmary. "Don’t!""Fallon," Fineon murmurs, gently shaking his head. "Let him go."Go… Why was it that that word sounded so final when it involved Hindrick? Was it because of what he had told me the day before when he revealed how he felt, or was it because I knew that no matter what I said or did, he wouldn’t stay by my side anymore?"Okay," I whisper, feeling defeated. "But will he be okay?""Of course he will," Fineon assures me. "But you won’t if you don’t get some more rest.""Rest," I huff, feeling my annoyance flare. "I’ve already rested so much that I’m bored of it.""That’s too bad," Tyson chuckles, coming to join us. "With your current condition, rest is what your body needs."Shivering, I let my eyes travel down to my stomach, where Mateo’s mark once sat to control me. Since I currently didn’t have Artemis, it was slowly healing along with my injuries from my encounter with the sirens. And
[Fineon’s POV]I stare up at Fire Rose’s packhouse while my determination begins to build. Beside me, I can feel Fallon fidgeting with nerves, and it actually helps me feel more at peace about my decision."You’re acting like you’re the one that is about to go up against a giant," I chuckle, reaching out and ruffling her hair."Are you sure this is necessary?"Letting out a sigh, I simply nod.When she asked me the same thing the night before, I also made it clear that this needed to happen. If I ever wanted to have a peaceful life with Fallon, I had to get the big brute’s approval. Once I had that, I would work toward winning over the twins as well, but I could only handle one battle at a time."Come on," I sigh, beginning to head toward the pack house’s entrance. "It’s better to just deal with your problems head-on, right?""But what if he kills you?" Fallon demands, shooting me a glare. "Dad’s a Neanderthal that only thinks with his fists.""Are you doubting my strength?" I counter