“We’re doomed,” I said. “And it’s my fault.”
“No.” Hope sounded… hopeful. How was the woman still standing after watching the man she loved not only go supernova but switch sides? “I refuse to believe it.”
“Your refusal doesn’t change the fact that the siren you supposedly love just marched out of here looking like my doppelganger. He’s going to help Bannik drain ten watchers — you do realize how powerful they are? Each of them holds a specific power over whatever region they guarded or watched. Imagine Bannik having full control of the elements. It would be like unleashing the apocalypse!”
Mason transformed back into his human form and shook his shaggy hair, “I hate that you’re right, demon.”
“Thanks.”
“All is not lost.” A familiar voice said, and I felt his presence like I felt my heart beating within my chest. I hated the power Cassius wielded, but not as much as the yearning inside I felt, every damn time he was in the same room. He couldn’t turn off his angelic presence any more than I could turn off my demonic presence. Where there was light, darkness must still exist, though, since Hope’s awakening in this time, in our world, I’d felt less and less like a demon, and more like… something else. What? I had no clue.
“That happens once one realizes they have a soul,” Cassius said, pressing a large palm against my shoulder. I shuddered at the touch. There was too much good in his touch — too much everything. And I hated feeling. I hated emotion. I hated knowing that if something happened to Hope, I wouldn’t stare at her lifeless body with hollow indifference. No, I’d mourn her as if she were a sister.
“Because in a way, she is.”
“Could you guys possibly share with the rest of us?” Hope interrupted my dialogue with Cassius.
“Your blood, elf blood.” Cassius pressed a palm to Hope’s wound. I watched in rapt fascination as the skin knit back together and closed completely without leaving a scar. “It links your race, and it runs through Timber’s veins. He was saying you feel like a sister… and I told him in a way you are.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve never had a brother.” She turned to Mason cautiously. “Though I distinctly remember having a best friend.”
Mason frowned, “Huh?”
Cassius’s eyes flared white.
Mason fell to his knees and roared.
“Sorry, old friend.” Cassius sighed. “Sariel never meant to keep your memories from you — but they weren’t safe, not even in your gruff pinecone-filled head.”
“You sound like Alex.” Mason trembled on the ground. “Hope,” He looked up with tear-filled eyes. “You used to pet me.”
With a gulp, Hope ran toward him and leapt into his arms. “You told me you would always watch over me!”
“I failed.” Mason hugged her tightly. “In so many ways.”
“Nobody has failed,” Cassius interrupted with that deep, commanding voice of his. “Alex has fully realized his potential as a siren. He knows his own power, not just the ability to attract anyone and anything, but become anyone and anything… only the most powerful sirens possess it — I knew there was something beneath the surface, but that future — it was hidden from me.” Ethan and Stephanie burst into the house. “We will go to them, to Bannik.”
“Great.” Ethan’s green eyes lit up. “Because we haven’t been fighting for the past what? Few weeks? Year?”
“There will always be a fight.” Cassius shrugged. “And more often than not — it will either be against your own darkness — or for the one you love.”
“How do we get through to him?” I changed the subject, uncomfortable with their discussion because I was a demon, I was darkness. Wasn’t I?
“The same way, the elves got through to you, I imagine.” Cassius looked between Hope and me. “Is she ready?”
“Ready?” Hope repeated. “Ready for what? I’m not a fighter.”
“To link the willing,” Cassius whispered.
“Link the what?”
“You are their true leader, not Bannik. the demons will listen to you because many years ago, an elf sacrificed herself and made a promise to a race full of darkness and regret — protect Hope — and in return, she would once again connect what had been long ago severed.”
Hope shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about and even if I could link I don’t know how to—”
“The heart and soul — in demons it is no longer linked, a punishment given to them for turning against the light — a punishment needed to keep the balance in order. They will follow Bannik now — but if they see you, if they see Timber, who he truly is — then they will fight to the death to have that completion, and they will be loyal to you forever.”
“And the ones who aren’t willing?” I just had to ask. “What about them?”