[Hindrick’s POV]"Hindrick!"Cursing, I slowly turn and watch as Fallon makes her way toward me. It seemed that she hadn’t taken my initial reaction seriously and was still chasing after me. What was wrong with this girl? Was she a glutton for punishment? She had been chasing after the same man since childhood, even though he never blinked an eye at her, and now she was following me."Please, just wait a minute."Frowning, I watch as she closes the distance between us. Despite my earlier actions, she still looked at me with the same eyes, and I found myself wanting to cave on my resolve."I…" she begins once she is standing only a step above me. "I promise that I won’t continue to be a bother, but I just couldn’t help but notice…""Notice what?" I demand, crossing my arms. "What the hell did you notice? That I wasn’t interested in seeing you? Are you dumb or something?"I knew my words were harsh, but this was the only way I could think of to keep her away from me. I was now tainted,
[Fallon’s POV]I take in the land around me, trying to decide whether or not this is actually a good idea. Scattering the beach are posts with skulls of those I was sure crossed the Ave tribe. Beneath them, the sand is stained red, and the remains of the bodies that accompanied the skulls still remain."Savage bastards, aren’t they?" Uncle Ramone chuckles, coming to stand beside me. "It’s a good thing that we aren’t their enemy.""Are they really that dangerous?" I ask, still feeling uneasy. "If that’s the case, why do we associate with them? Doesn’t that make us look just as bad?""Not really," he shrugs, seeming truly unphased by all of this. "They have to do what they have to do to survive. It’s the same with us; we just don’t use the bodies of our enemies as decorations."Frowning, I consider his words. I guess he was right, but that didn’t mean that I felt any better about what I was seeing."Anyway, instead of just standing here, shouldn’t we get moving?"As he speaks, Uncle Ram
[Hindrick’s POV]"Please, eat all you’d like."The flashy Angles, motioned toward the table that was filled with food in front of us. Why the hell were we sitting here eating with him when we had more important things to do? This was ridiculous, but I couldn’t go against what the others agreed on.Letting out a sigh, I take in our group where they sit and feel my frustration deepen as my gaze comes to rest on Fallon as Fineon begins to fill the plate in front of her. Across from them, the damned Angles is watching with that disgusting hunger from earlier. If he were anyone else, I would have killed him on the spot for looking at her like that, but given his position, I couldn’t."Are you going to eat?" Uncle Ramone asks. "Or are you going to keep glaring at Angles until he drops dead?"Tensing, I realize too late that the man in question is watching me with a look of amusement on his face."Don’t worry, I’m not that easy to dispose of," he chuckles, leaning back in his seat. "And I kn
[Fineon’s POV]I felt a surge of triumph as the bastard king, who hadn’t once bothered to respect boundaries when it came to what was mine, stared at me in disbelief."What?" I smirk. "Surprised?""A bit," Angles admits, composing himself once more. "Who would have thought that I was in the presence of a master tracker. I honestly thought that all the good ones no longer existed after Tonitrum was annihilated."Tensing, I try to keep my expression neutral as he speaks of my pack. I was sure he wasn’t intentionally trying to poke a wound since no one knew about my past except for Elleric and Fallon."About that," I begin, deciding to be open and honest."He’s one of the two remaining survivors of that pack," Ramone announces before I can say anymore.Once again, shock flashes across Angles’ features before they settle on curiosity and even suspicion."Survivor?" He repeats, seeming not to quite believe. "From what I’ve heard, no one survived that brutal attack.""Well, that was what we
[Fineon’s POV]"I’ll grant you whatever you’d like as long as you can locate my sister.""Then tomorrow we will try again.""Tomorrow?" Angles repeats, his brows furrowing. "Why not now?""Can’t you tell he has worn himself out," Fallon snaps before I get the chance to respond. "He needs to rest; otherwise, he may end up causing harm to himself."Feeling a small sense of satisfaction over just how worried she is about me, I give Fallon’s hand a squeeze."I’ll be fine either way," I assure her. "But it has been a long day, and I would like to rest up.""Do as you wish," Angles sighs. "I’ll have my men show you to the guest wing.""No need. The rest of our group is still waiting for us. We can sleep on the ships.""Suite yourself," Angles shrugs, giving Fallon a glance that is filled with disappointment. "I won’t push.""Thanks."Finished speaking, I begin to move, pulling Fallon along behind me. Despite Angles’ joking tendencies, it wasn’t hard to tell that he had taken an interest in
[Fallon’s POV]"N-no more," I pant, leaning against Fineon’s sturdy frame. "I can’t…""You’re already tired?"Was I tired? After going at it for hours, was he really asking me this? Of course, I was exhausted. I needed rest, but it seemed that he could continue going for the rest of the night."I thought I was the old man," he laughs, giving a thrust that sends my body quaking. "Shouldn’t a youngin like you have more energy?"Letting out a growl, I just glare. Who the hell was he calling a youngin? I wasn’t a kid anymore, and I didn’t appreciate being treated as such."Watch it," I huff, loosening my legs from around him so that I slide down his body like a pole. Once I’m on the ground, I stand on shaky legs. "We should head back before the others come looking for us.""Must we?" Fineon pouts, making my heart do somersaults. "I don’t want to share you.""There’s plenty of time in the future for you to be selfish," I assure him. "But for now, we really should go back and get some sleep
[Fallon’s POV]"Hey, try to calm down."Fineon’s voice that caressed my ears was full of warmth and comfort, but it wasn’t doing any good at calming my worried heart."No matter what, I don’t plan to leave you."Letting out a shuddering breath, I lifted my gaze to meet his. Despite knowing the Fineon I saw earlier wasn’t him, I still couldn’t stop the fear I felt at possibly seeing that evil there. However, my worry was for nothing, as Fineon’s bright blue eyes were there waiting for me."It’s you," I sigh, leaning in closer. "Please, promise me you won’t do blood magic tomorrow. I know you promised, but...""I’m sorry, I can’t promise that," Fineon responds, cutting me off. "If we want Ave’s help, this must be done.""But…""Listen to me. I don’t know exactly what it was that you saw, but I promise that I won’t allow it to happen. I made you a promise to always be with you, and I meant it.""But I saw." I try again, realizing that he isn’t taking me seriously."I understand that you
[Hindrick’s POV]I keep my gaze on the scene that is taking place in front of me while Fallon processes my words. I don’t know what she was even thinking, but if she thought that I was going to allow her to put herself at risk, she had another thing coming."I know that he’s your mate and you’re worried, but you need to learn your limitations."My frustration continues to grow, as I can still feel the determination to help Fineon that is radiating from Fallon. I was pretty sure the moment I released her, she would continue to shoot forward head-first into danger, just like she always did."I can’t just stand here."The words that leave her lips are filled with so much emotion that I find myself stunned. Was she truly saying right now that she was willing to give up her life for him?"Please let me go."Giving a tug, she manages to break free, and before I can stop her once more, she is diving through the wall of darkness that is swirling around Fineon and Angles as if it is absolutely
[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