[Fallon’s POV]"You look like shit. Did you know that?"Letting out a huff, I roll my eyes, not bothering to respond to Hindrick’s jab."Sorry," I huff. "You caught me at a bad time."At my words, Hindrick lets out a laugh while I watch in annoyance."You about done?" I ask, realizing that the ocean beneath us is growing closer. "If so, we should probably get off this ship.""Right, right," Hindrick responds through chuckles. "Let’s go."Nodding, I begin to move but stop as all my muscles scream at me. Wincing, I attempt to take a tentative step, only to stumble."You!" Hindrick snaps, reaching out and catching me. "Really did a number on yourself."Trying not to be annoyed by his disapproving tone, I shook myself free of his grip."I’m fine," I insisted, trying to move again."Sure you are."A yelp of shock escapes me as Hindrick scoops me into his arms and begins to move, making his way to the side of the ship. Before I can ask him where he is going, he leaps, leaving us to plummet
[Fallon’s POV]"What of the prisoners?"Even though I knew that the prisoners on Fulgor Island were the worst of the worst criminals, I still couldn’t justify leaving them for dead."Evacuations are being planned," Rosa responds. "This isn't anything you should have to worry about."Nodding, I continue to watch the island while my feeling of foreboding continues to grow.No matter how much I tried to conclude that this was nothing, I somehow knew that it was, and with each passing minute, more images of that damn vision continued to appear."We should help with it," I announce."I think they’ve got it handled," Rosa insists. "Our mission is to find the leaders of Reiki Island and request their assistance in saving the infected members of Fire Rose.""It wouldn’t take long to help," I argue. "Anyway, it will take longer for others to get there, and we are the closest currently.""It isn’t my call," Rosa sighs, deciding not to argue with me. "In the end, it is up to the prince."Nodding
[Fallon’s POV]My blood runs cold as the woman’s name hits me like a ton of bricks. Armia… The very woman who almost destroyed the continent in her plot to help Princess Talia and her mate take over each kingdom and pack. Everyone that I held near and dear was almost killed by this bitch, but wasn’t she supposed to be in Fulgor prison?As this thought hits me, realization dawns."No," I gasp, my eyes growing wide. "Don’t tell me.""My, you’re a smart girl!" Armia giggles, getting up from her seat. "Unlike your mother and father."Biting back my immediate response, I keep my gaze fixed on Armia as she makes her way toward me. When she plops down on the bed beside me, I try my best to scoot as far away as I can, but I find that isn’t much given Hindrick’s ridiculous attempt to trap me."How did you get on the ship unnoticed?"Shouldn’t Hindrick and the others have been able to feel her?"I guess you aren’t as smart as I thought."Lifting a hand, Armia touches my cheek, digging a blood-
[Fallon’s POV]"HINDRICK!"A surge of power rushes through me as I snap my gaze from the unmoving Rosa to Hindrick, who is still standing bewildered. Something needed to be done, otherwise I feared that Armia would make Hindrick do something he regretted."SNAP OUT OF IT!"As the words leave my lips, power explodes from within me and slams into Hindrick, sending him stumbling backward and putting distance between him and Armia."Wha...?" he groans, seeming to finally wake up. "What the hell?"A growl of anger escapes Armia as she turns to face me. Her eyes, which had been dark before, glowed a dangerous red."You," she hisses, lifting a finger and pointing at me. "How did you?""Who the hell are you?"In one switch motion, Hindrick strikes out, grabbing Armia by her throat and lifting. Letting out a laugh, Armia grabs Hindrick’s wrists and squeezes."My dear grandson," she giggles, causing a look of shock to flash in Hindrick’s eyes. "Would you really kill your own flesh and blood?""
[Fineon’s POV]The next day, I woke up early to a commotion going on downstairs. Just from the rise and fall of voices and the tense energy I felt radiating around me, I knew that something serious had happened.Fallon was the only thought that hit me, causing my heart to begin to race. Had something happened to her?Unable to remain in bed, I slowly got up and found that I had some feeling back in my legs.Taking a tentative step, I began to move, making my way out of my room and down the long hall that led toward where all the noise was happening.When I rounded the corner, I found Tyler, Elleric, the big brute, and Ramone all standing together with serious looks on their faces.Bracing myself, I clear my throat, making my presence known, and waited until all their eyes came to rest on me."What’s wrong?" I ask, hoping that it wasn’t involving my mate. "Did something happen?""About that," Elleric responds slowly, "it seems that Mount Malum has become active.""Mount Malum?" I repea
[Fineon’s POV]Cool air mixed with moisture from the sea brushes against my skin while I stare out towards the horizon, where pluming smoke can barely be seen. If the signs of the eruption of Mount Malum could be seen from Grishan’s port, then things were definitely starting to look grim.After convincing Elleric and the big brute that time was of the essence, we packed up a few belongings for our journey to Reiki Island and got a team together that consisted of Tyler and myself along with the aforementioned big brute and Elleric.Although Heather and Edwin had insisted on coming along with us, in the end they were made to stay behind with Andria to protect Grishan Estate with the big brute’s most trusted second in command, Gavin, and Cyrus, who also insisted on coming but in the end were made to stay behind so that Langley’s strongest were helping keep Andria and the kids safe.Once that issue was settled and we were sure that the kingdom would be well protected, we set off in hopes
[Fallon’s POV]Hindrick and I stood together, watching as Rosa was hoisted onto a raft covered in handmade flowers. If I didn’t actually know that she was gone, she would look as though she were simply sleeping, but no matter how much I wished that were the case, it wasn’t.Keeping my gaze fixed on the unmoving woman, I watched as she was slowly and carefully lowered down until the raft she was on met the ocean’s surface. And when it began to drift out, I, along with Hindrick and the others, lifted my bow and placed my burning arrow against it.Sending out a prayer for eternal comfort in Titiana’s arms. I along with those around me, let the arrow loose so it could land around Rosa and set her ablaze."May Titiana welcome her with warmth and comfort," Hindrick murmurs. "Thank you for your years of dedication to not only Langley, but to me."Finished with his send-off, Hindrick grows quiet, but I can feel the devastation that is radiating from him over losing one of his own. I could onl
[Fallon’s POV]"I think it is best to start at my homecoming ceremony," I begin. "One of our own collapsed, and these dark… things… erupted from him. Before we could quite understand what was happening, they were taking over members of the pack and even my brother." Once again, my heart did a painful flip at the mention of Idris. "That was when the one who caused the attack appeared; he went by the name Parker, but I later found out he is Mateo.""Mateo?" Tyson gasped, his brows furrowing. "Which Mateo are you referring to, because there is no way it is the same one I am thinking of?""But it is," I insist. "I’m not exactly sure how, but it seems that he is still alive, and he is determined to do what he couldn’t back then."Growing quiet, I wait as Tyson processes what I just said."Sounds like an insane story that parents would tell their children, right?" Hindrick huffs, reminding me that he too just recently became privy to all of this. "If I hadn’t seen the bastard myself, I woul
[Idris’ POV] "Are you sure you’re going back?" Mom’s eyes begin to fill with tears as she waits for a response. I don’t know exactly what she expects me to say. "Yes, I am. It’s been a month since Mateo and his underlings were killed, and the academy is finally reopening. As a student, I am required to go back." She knew that I still had a year left before I graduated. I couldn’t just never go back, no matter what had happened since the school shut down. "But…" "Don’t give him a hard time," Dad warns, cutting her off while wrapping a comforting arm around her. "The academy is one of the safest places on the continent, and the threat is gone. I’m sure the next year will simply fly by." "That’s right," I add, taking advantage of dad’s opening for me to leave. "I promise to keep in touch, and before you know it, I’ll be back to irritate the hell out of you." "You heard him," Dad beams, squeezing her closer. "Now, you should allow him to head out; otherwise, he won’t make it there
[Hindrick’s POV]"Welcome back!"Uncle Elleric doesn’t wait before he pulls me into a hug, crushing me against him and making me extremely uncomfortable.Growling, I work to break free, and once I manage to achieve my goal, I take a few steps back."Ever the stoic," he chuckles, taking me in. "Can’t you drop the act just for a day? You’ve been gone for a month, and you didn’t even bother to send word.""Because I was busy cleaning up the mess that was left behind," I point out. "Anyway, I didn’t come here for a heartfelt family reunion."At my words, Uncle Elleric’s face grows serious, and I get the feeling that he is expecting me to deliver a killing blow."Don’t worry," I sigh before his head can come up with some ridiculous scenarios, "it isn’t anything like that. I was actually asked a favor by an idiot.""Fineon?" Uncle Elleric asks, knowing perfectly well who I would be referring to. I didn’t know if I was that obvious or if he also saw Fineon as a fool. "Or is it Chance?"I bit
[Fallon’s POV]A month passed in a blur before things were finally beginning to become normal once again. With things being so hectic, I didn’t get to see much of Fineon since he seemed to always be busy, but this time when we met, I wasn’t going to let him go until he told me what it was that he was up to.I manage to find Fineon heading out of dad's office with a look of frustration on his face."What’s wrong?" I ask, startling him."F-Fallon!" he gasps, taking me in. "Why are you...""Here?" I offer for him, moving forward. "Because if I wasn't, you would find some way to evade me like you have been doing for the past month."At my words, his expression shifts from shock to guilt. So he was intentionally avoiding me, which is interesting."Anyway, I was hoping you’d come somewhere with me today," I continue, wrapping my arms around his and squeezing. "Saying no is not an option.""But…""No buts!" I snap. "Come on."Giving a tug, I begin to move, dragging Fineon until we arrive at
[Fineon’s POV]Returning home was a bittersweet thing, given the circumstances we were returning under. Whether it should have been a time of celebration, it was instead a moment of saying welcome back and saying goodbye.As we made landfall and began to unload, Fallon rushed off to see her parents and allowed herself to get lost in their embrace.Deciding that the moment should be strictly for family, I stay back as the tears begin to fall."You want to help us with this?" Ramone asks, coming up behind me. "He’s a bit heavy."Nodding, I turn and follow him back onto the boat to collect Cyrus’ body, allowing Fallon and her parents to be alone with each other.Inside the cabin, I can feel the chill of death pressing against my skin, and it makes the fact that Cyrus and Gavin are gone that much more real. Now all that was left to do to say goodbye was give them the proper send-off that they deserved.Sighing, I move forward and help Ramone collect Cyrus first so that his parents could s
[Fallon’s POV]I don’t know how long I stayed in place, staring at the slowly disappearing door that Cyrus took to his final resting place. It was only when Titiana gently touched my shoulder that I finally snapped out of my daze."You need to get back now," she murmurs, giving me a smile filled with sympathy and sorrow. "Although your brother is no longer on earth, there are still many waiting on you.""Right," I sigh, getting to my feet. "I’m sure Fineon and Hindrick are at their wits end.""When you go back, you should really think about yourself more," Titiana chuckles."What do you mean?""You’ve worked so hard to gain everyone’s approval that you have lost yourself," she explains, touching my cheek."That’s what being a leader means," I counter. "I can’t think of myself. I can only think of my pack.""That’s not true," Titiana says, shaking her head. "You must also think of yourself, otherwise, you’ll end up regretting it one day. Now, go back to them."Before I can respond, I’m
[Fallon’s POV]"You had something you needed to speak with me about?" I ask hesitantly as Titiana examines me.After all the bombs that had been dropped on me earlier on, I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for another, but since this was the goddess’ request, there was no way that I could deny her."Not so much me," she responds, giving me a sad look.My stomach starts to roll as a bad feeling begins to creep up in me. Why was she looking at me like that, and why did it make my heart hurt?"Who is it?" I ask quietly, realizing that whoever it was must be someone close to me, and if they were here instead of on earth, then that meant that they were dead."It’s me."The world comes crashing down around me as I turn and find Cyrus making his way toward me.No, this couldn’t be real; there was no way it could. Was he like me, on the edge of life and death? If so, that meant he could be saved. Why was he here, and why did it feel like whatever was going to be said was goodbye?"Cy-cyrus," I w
[Anika’s POV]I continue to stare down at the lava where Mateo disappeared while Fineon and Hindrick remain silent, allowing me the space to process my emotions.Mateo was gone, for real this time. He would never come back to this world in this lifetime, and I wasn’t even sure if we would be able to find each other when we reincarnated like we promised. So that meant this was it, right?That thought alone left an immense loneliness in me that I thought I would never have to feel again. However, I had to admit, the second time around was so much more painful."Sorry to disturb," Fineon murmurs after a bit more time passes. "But how will we be sure that doing what Mateo said really did the trick?""I don’t know," I admitted, frowning."You don’t think that this was another trick of his, do you?" Hindrick growls. "What if...""He wasn’t lying," I say, cutting him off. "The one that was there in the end was Mateo, not Parker.""I understand that, but nothing seems to have happened," Hindr
[Anika’s POV]I wait as Fineon and Hindrick examine me as if trying to determine if they could convince me to stay. It is only when Mount Malum lets out another ominous roar that they seem to concede and begin to move again."Stay close," Hindrick orders when I scramble to catch up. "If you cause anything to happen to Fallon’s body, I’ll destroy you, understood?""Of course," I respond, not taking offense to his threat. "I know my limits.""Then let’s go," Hindrick sighs, though he still doesn’t seem fully convinced.Nodding, I begin to follow, staying close behind the two men who insisted on keeping me safe from any possible rockslides or attacks that may happen."It’ll take at least a day to get to the top of this," Hindrick mutters when we reach Mount Malum’s side. "Do we have that much time?"Looking up, I take in the lava that bubbles up and then explodes and the smoke that is quickly surrounding the mountain, blocking the rest of the world from view."I don’t know," I admit. "Bu
[Anika’s POV]Pain rips through my chest with every inch the anima sword makes through Mateo’s body. Even if I managed to destroy the mark he left on me, our bond was still there, and I wasn’t too surprised I was feeling what he was. This was how strong our bond had always been, and in a way, I was happy he wasn't alone."An…ika…" Mateo rasps, his eyes finding mine. "Why?""Because this must be done."Everything in me screamed to stop, to help him, and to save him from the painful death that he was currently experiencing, but I knew this had to be done. And I was the one who had to do it. Not Hindrick, not Fallon, but me. I had to end this once and for all.Closing my eyes, I allow all the beautiful memories that we shared to begin to flash across my mind. This would be the last time I allowed them to overtake me. Once this was finished, I would fully let go. I had to; there was no holding onto something that would never be again.SIghing, I let my tears flow as Mateo’s love-filled ey