I could only hope that Elleric would be willing to change the subject and take me seriously. Though I still didnโt trust Utica, there were more pressing matters to attend to."Canโt that wait?" Elleric suggests."No. It canโt."The sooner I got Elleric onboard with my mission to go collect men from
[Anikaโs POV]I stare into Mateoโs dark eyes and find that I donโt feel an ounce of love for him. Instead, all I can feel is a deep-rooted hatred that leaves me wanting to kill the man in front of me."Go on then," he taunts when I donโt move. "Are you really going to hesitate to attack?"โKill him,
"What?" he asks slowly, his guard going up. "Why are you looking at me like that?""Are you going to play dumb?" I ask. "Even if I seemed out of it, I was still present for everything that happened up until now."Despite knowing I was being ridiculous, I couldnโt stop the sudden pang of pain that sh
[Fallonโs POV]"Yeah."The words leave my lips before I am able to fully process what is happening. The marks were gone, as was the connection between Mateo and Anika. Was this really happening, or were we counting our chickens before they hatched?"Really?"The hope in Fineonโs voice makes me want
I knew that using this method wasnโt exactly the best, but it was the only way I knew he wouldnโt argue. All those years of training at the academy and with him had left me more than able to handle myself."Are you saying that you donโt trust all the skills you made sure to instill in me?"Widening
[Hindrickโs POV]I stood alone, staring out at the horizon, taking in the pluming smoke from Mount Malum. The closer we grew to Fulgor Island, the more I saw just how bad things truly were becoming."Itโs something, isnโt it?" Gavin announces, appearing beside me.Nodding, I continue to stare. I cou
[Hindrickโs POV]Ah, this feeling. It was the same thing I felt every time the darkness wanted to take over. I felt this dark sense of hopelessness and unease, but I couldnโt let it take me. If I were to allow that, then I wouldnโt be able to see her smile again, would I?Closing my eyes, I let the
"Ugh.""Uncle Ramone?"Frowning, I watched as Uncle Ramoneโs whole body convulsed from a shiver. Was he cold from the sea breeze? If he was, why was he wearing practically nothing?Oh right.After deciding on leaving immediately, dad insisted that we get help from some of Donaldโs workers. Initially
"Life doesnโt work that way, sis," I sigh, forcing a smile. "And once I graduate from the academy, I plan on joining Uncle Ellericโs forces, so I wonโt have time to think about things like love." "So youโre going to follow behind her," Fallon murmurs, not seeming pleased at all. "Youโre going to fo
[Idrisโ POV] "Are you sure youโre going back?" Momโs eyes begin to fill with tears as she waits for a response. I donโt know exactly what she expects me to say. "Yes, I am. Itโs 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 Uticaโs defense. "Iโm sure there was a reason that she did it. Why do you always have to be so nasty with anyone who isnโt Fallon?"Flinching, I keep my expression neutral while Heatherโs glare burns daggers into me."Did you know?" I ask. "Or are you going to c
[Hindrickโs POV]"Welcome back!"Uncle Elleric doesnโt 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. "Canโt
"Heโฆ" 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 didnโt want him to guilt Fineon into thinking that he need
[Fallonโs POV]A month passed in a blur before things were finally beginning to become normal once again. With things being so hectic, I didnโt get to see much of Fineon since he seemed to always be busy, but this time when we met, I wasnโt 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 werenโt 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
[Fineonโs 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."Itโs magic," I murmur, feeling the warmth of it pressing against my skin. "Do you think it is Mateoโs final