[Fallon’s POV]"What the hell is this?" Anita demands, looking around the room. "What is that?""Mount Malum!" I yell. "It’s going to erupt!"Dammit! While I was watching what was happening with Fineon, Mateo had managed to draw enough blood to trigger the curse that would trigger Mount Malum to eru
‘Fallon!’ Fineon hisses again. ‘Hey, don’t you dare close your eyes.’‘Fight,’ I whisper, trying to remain conscious. ‘You’re surrounded, and Anita needs your help up above.’‘Like hell, I’m going to just leave you here,’ he snaps. ‘You’re going to be okay, and you’re going to return victorious with
[Hindrick’s POV]I stare at Fulgor Prison, fighting the urge to storm in there like a bat out of hell, ready to destroy everyone and everything. These bastards were the reason that my cousin was now dead, and I would make all of them pay.After finally being calmed down by Uncle Ramone, we began to
[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
"Please."Snapping out of my daze, I open my eyes and look down at Mateo, only to find that the eyes I’m staring into are no longer the ones of the monster he had been."Mateo," I whisper, kneeling down and placing a hand on his cheek. "Is it really you?"Giving a sad smile, he nods and lifts a hand
[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 an
"I can…""Get on," he repeats. "You’re wasting valuable time."Deciding it was better to not argue, I do as he instructed, so that I’m now being carried piggyback up the side of Mount Malum.I keep my gaze fixed ahead as the lava continues to make its way toward us. I didn’t know what it was that Hi
[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
"Life doesn’t work that way, sis," I sigh, forcing a smile. "And once I graduate from the academy, I plan on joining Uncle Elleric’s forces, so I won’t have time to think about things like love." "So you’re going to follow behind her," Fallon murmurs, not seeming pleased at all. "You’re going to fo
[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 requi
"Hindrick," Heather growls, coming to Utica’s defense. "I’m sure there was a reason that she did it. Why do you always have to be so nasty with anyone who isn’t Fallon?"Flinching, I keep my expression neutral while Heather’s glare burns daggers into me."Did you know?" I ask. "Or are you going to c
[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
"He…" Fineon sighs, his frustration returning. "Gave me an earful about going off like this during such an important time for you."So dad was thinking about the upcoming alpha ceremony that I would be completing. That was kind of him, but I didn’t want him to guilt Fineon into thinking that he need
[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 wa
"Dad." For the second time that day, everyone was left in shock as a voice that we weren’t sure we would ever hear again reached our ears. "Leave Callie alone," Idris continues, joining Fallon to protect her. "Think of what Cyrus would want and get your shit together!" "Idris," Gale sobs, attacki
[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 parent
Growing quiet, Fineon lifts his gaze in time for the light to explode out of Mount Malum, erasing the dark clouds that remained in the sky above and allowing a brilliant blue to peek through."It’s magic," I murmur, feeling the warmth of it pressing against my skin. "Do you think it is Mateo’s final