I do as he says. Holding perfectly still until he relaxes enough for me to chance another step toward him. “Cade, don’t you recognize what’s happening here?” I gesture to the surrounding landscape. “This is just like the dream. I know you had it too. It’s where you came up with the idea for the dress.”
He rakes an agitated hand through his hair. Shuffles his feet uncertainly.
“And look, I’m even wearing the ring.” I lift my hand, urging him to see. Watching his features grow blunted, his eyes glazing at the sight of it. “But it’s not as bad as you think. You’re not in love with me. You’ve just never experienced such a strong emotion before, and you’re so overwhelmed by its power, you’re projecting it onto me. You once claimed that true magick exists only in the darkest of men. And maybe you’re right. But the thing is, you’re no longer that guy. If you allow your light to shine, you’ll be capable of the kind of miracles that’ll make your magick now look like the work of a third-rate birthday-party magician.”
His shoulders soften. His pacing slows. And I breathe a little easier knowing I’ve managed to reach him.
Until Leandro hurls another long stream of insults, and Cade rushes toward me, fully intending to harm—only the light now illuminated inside him won’t allow him to strike.
Won’t allow him to do the only thing required to make his father proud.
It’s Leandro he loves.
It’s Leandro he lives to impress.
He’s spent the last sixteen years in a desperate bid for his father’s approval, only to be eclipsed by the twin they both once despised.
Even when Cade was at his darkest, it was the one bit of humanity that managed to survive.
I could kill him in a second. And yet, knowing what I know, it no longer feels right.
No longer a monster, the light has rendered him human. And like the Bone Keeper said, killing humans is not the Seeker’s game.
From across the canyon, Leandro approaches the ledge. “That’s it, Cade,” he shouts. “You’ve had your chance. I should’ve left it to your brother like I promised. It would’ve been over by now. But since you can’t seem to handle the one thing I’m asking you to do, I’m coming over there to take care of it for you!” He crouches down low, ready to make the leap, when the beast appears by his side, dragging Chepi behind him.
THIRTY-NINE
DAIRE
The chasm yawns between us, and I pray I really can nail it. If I’m wrong about Dace, Chepi won’t stand a chance.
I gather my skirts, do as Paloma taught me, and think from the end. The image of myself landing safely on the other side firmly entrenched in my head, when Chepi shouts, “Daire—no! Stay where you are!”
Leandro roars with laughter as though the scene just became greatly amusing, as Chepi turns her focus to the beast. The resigned look on her face telling me she’s not the least bit surprised to see what’s become of her son.
Is that why she tried so hard to shield him from his mystical legacy, along with the horrible truth behind his conception?
Did she suspect all along that this day would come?
Just as I thought, Dace is completely transformed. Far surpassing anything Cade was ever capable of becoming, he’s transcended into something so sinister, so horrific—it’s impossible to turn away.
His towering height, rippling muscles, blazing red eyes, and crown of black feathers circling his head, making for a sight that’s as stunning as it is diabolical. And by the way Leandro stands beside him, beaming with pride, it’s clear he agrees.
Refusing to see him as he is, Chepi insists on appealing to the shred of humanity she’s convinced still exists. And while I was in full agreement just a moment ago, watching her now, so defenseless and vulnerable, reminds me of what Jennika said.
It’s my duty to protect her.
If it turns out I’m wrong, the beast will soon kill her.
“You’ve outlasted your usefulness, old woman,” Leandro taunts. Looking between the beast and Cade. “Do it!” he urges. “Both of you, strike now! You have one last chance to redeem yourself, Cade. Kill the Seeker while Dace kills his mother. Rid the world of these obnoxious do-gooders, and you’ll make me proud beyond measure.”
Cade sneaks up from behind, but even in his unstable state, I’m a lot less worried about what he might try, and a lot more worried about what will become of Chepi. One swipe of the beast’s hand is enough to see her permanently eliminated from the world, and I’m the only one who can possibly stop him.
From somewhere within the earth’s core, the ground begins to tremble and quake, as the sky glows a dark, blood-drenched red. And when a coil of wind begins to stir at my feet, there’s no denying the prophecy has begun.
Won’t be long before the wind becomes a tempest and all three worlds are ravaged by flames.
Unless I can stop it before it gets to that point.