Still, no one ever promised a clean victory. And Paloma always warned that a Seeker’s life is one of incredible sacrifice.
But what if it doesn’t have to be?
As I’ve already seen, prophecies are not concrete.
What if the future really is mine to design?
I lean toward Dace, pushing our keys together until the edges are evenly matched. Clearing my heart of regret and replacing it with a surplus of love, I lower my lips to meet his and kiss him with all that I have.
But it’s not enough.
His breath hitches. Falters. And I have no idea what to do next—until Paloma whispers, “It’s just like I taught you, nieta. You’ve got to peer through the darkness and see with your heart—if you are to see his.”
I shutter my eyes, blocking out everything but the boy lying before me. Cutting through the darkness I delve inside his body, peering at a heart choked by a tangled web of darkness that must be removed if Dace has any hope of surviving.
Now turn on your light.
With my hands centered over his chest, I summon my light and project it toward him. Watching it chip away at the darkness until it’s nearly diminished, allowing his heart to swell and expand.
But before it can be completely eradicated, Dace heaves a harsh breath, followed by another.
“Not to worry,” Valentina says. “The bit of darkness that remains won’t harm him. Everyone has a shadow side. This just makes him human. Though there’s still more to do, your fix is only temporary.”
“Wait—what?” I peer into the dark. “He’s breathing—what more can I do?”
“While your light has served to illuminate his darkness—when you killed his twin, he took a piece of Dace’s soul with him,” Paloma says. “Without it, I’m afraid he won’t last.”
No.
No!
I rock back on my heels. Hardly able to believe I had it all wrong. I was sure that the only way to kill Cade without harming Dace was to catch him in beast mode, or, in his case, Coyote mode. Turns out I was wrong.
One brother down.
Won’t be much longer until the other one follows.
“But there is a way . . .” Django hovers by my side. “I’ve seen your soul, Daire. It’s strong—fueled by so much love and light I’m betting you have plenty to spare.”
I glance over my shoulder, and for one fleeting second I see him, really see him, materializing before me. The father I’ve only known from old photos is smiling and nodding and encouraging me to act before it’s too late.
I return to Dace, unsure how to proceed.
“Think of it like a soul jump,” Paloma says.
“Only this time, you’ll leave a piece of your soul behind,” Valentina chimes in. “You’ll be bound forever—but isn’t that what you both want?”
Bound.
Fated.
In the way we always dreamed.
Finally, the nightmare that started this journey gets a new ending.
I focus on Dace with all that I have, vaguely aware of my body collapsing as I enter his world and my soul merges with his.
Viewing Dace as a young boy, eagerly exploring the world.