Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
EIGHTY-FOUR
CAZ
“No! Brother!” Killian hollers.
My blood runs cold when I see the creature’s tail plunging deep into Rowan’s chest.
It all happens so fast, yet my heart has slowed and my pulse is swimming in my ears. For a moment, it seems like time has stopped.
“No.” It’s the only word I can manage. I fly down as Killian rushes for Rowan, and the creature aims for him too, but I rip off its tail. When I land, I grip it by the head and snatch it off, sending it flying across the field.
Despite it, my hands shake as I focus on my brothers kneeled on the ground. Killian has his hands above Rowan’s bloodied body like he wants to touch him but is afraid that’ll make it worse.
“Caz,” Killian growls. “Do something!”
“Danica, Devlin, cover us,” I order.
They take over, huddling around us while the sun and moon warriors assist.
I drop to my knees, planting my palms on Rowan’s chest. Blood spurts out of his mouth, and his eyes grow wider as he reaches for me.
“No, no, no. Stick with me, brother,” I say. “I’ve got you.”
Yuri. I need your help. Please help me.
My hands continue shaking, but I push through it, forcing the energy to seep out of me, to do something, but he only bleeds more.
His bloody hand drags across my chest plate.
I press down harder.
“Come on, Row. Please.” Heat is in my palms. The energy is right there. Why the fuck isn’t it working, Yuri? Help me save him!
I can’t, Caspian, he says, He’s been injected with Selah’s blood.
“What?” I shout. “What are you talking about? What good are you if you can’t stop it?”
Killian eyes me before focusing on Rowan.
“It’s…” Rowan sputters, flashing bloodied teeth.
“Stop talking,” Killian demands. “Caz, come on! You healed me, you can heal him.”
“It’s not working. Korah!” I shout her name loud enough for the entire warlands to hear.
“What’s happened?” Alora appears, but immediately gasps when she spots Rowan on the ground. “Oh, no! Rowan!”
“It’s…o…kay,” Rowan stammers this time, clinging to my hand. “Best…best fight…of…of my life…brother.” His head turns just a fraction so he can look at Killian.
“No, Rowan. You shut up. I will not lose you today, you idiot! You’re my brother. We grow old together.” Killian clings to Rowan’s face with crimson hands. “That’s the rule. We grow together!”
I shout Korah’s name again, and she finally appears.
“Why isn’t it working?” I demand, still pressing. “Korah, I have Yuri’s energy. Why isn’t my cousin healing?”
Korah drops to one knee, and her throat works up and down. “Caspian…”
“WHAT?”
“That creature had Selah’s blood in its tail. The only person who can cure this is her. It’s no different than Warren.”
“What are you talking about?” I snap.
“It injected him,” Korah informs me.
He’ll die or be turned into one of her creatures. Yuri’s voice is lower, but I hear it clearly.
“So we can’t save him?” My voice cracks.
“Caspian—”
“No, Korah! Tell me we can save him! I did not become this just to let my family die!”
Her head shakes and nothing more. Alora presses her fingers to her lips while Danica and Devlin call for help. The war rages on, and yet I feel like I’ve already lost.
But I feel it even more when Rowan’s grip slacks, his attempt at a smile fades, and his eyes close.
EIGHTY-FIVE
WILLOW
The contraction in my chest is unlike anything I’ve ever felt in our Tether. It steals my breath away, and for a second, I think I’m having a panic attack.
“Something’s wrong,” I whisper. I try not to startle as Minka and Maia rest their heads on my lap.
“What are you talking about?” Juniper whispers back.
Everyone is either resting or sleeping, or at least trying to, but we hear the booming above, the war cries even from here.
“It’s Caz. I can feel heartache. He’s devastated right now.” My eyes flick to hers, and it doesn’t take very long for her mouth to fall open.
“Tap in with him,” she insists. “Ask him what’s happened.”
“I can’t, Juniper. He has me guarded from it all. He doesn’t want me hearing any of what’s going on.”
“Try,” she pleads. Then she cuts her eyes to Maeve who has fallen asleep due to the elixirs.
I sigh and close my eyes, tapping in with Caz. It takes me some time, but when I finally hear hollers, shouting, grunts and screeches, I know I’m in.
And then I smell an overwhelming coppery scent.
Blood.
Caz?
Willow…no. I—my mind is too weak. You shouldn’t be here.
Caz, what happened?
It’s…it’s Rowan.
My heart immediately drops, and my eyes pop open again. Heat builds behind my eyes. Juniper stares right at me, and as if she can hear him herself, she cups her mouth.
He’s dead, Willow. I couldn’t save him.
EIGHTY-SIX
CAZ
“Caspian, we have to move. You cannot let this defeat you.” Korah presses a hand to my shoulder and shakes it, trying to snap me out of it.