“That is when we developed our plan, but the plan had a concession that we all knew you would never agree to,” Braxton sighs, running his hands through his short hair.
“What? What concession?” I demand, pushing away from Jaxon and leveling them all with a hard look.
“The only way Zane could make sure that we got out and Xavier did not was to seal the portal that Hecate made. He was the only one that could do it, because his magic was the only one strong enough. To seal the portal, the spell requires a magical anchor.” Jaxon says sadly. He looks down as he waits for me to get it.
Oh.....
Oh no....
“Zane. He used himself as the anchor?” I whisper, horror gripping me as my last few days with him surface in my mind. I was horrible to him. I wanted him to die. I told him so.....
Silence is my only answer, but it is the only one that I need.
“I accused him of horrible things, and you’re telling me that not only did he kill his brother for me, but he sacrificed his freedom so that we could escape?”
“Yes,” Jaxon whispers, and that one word shatters everything that I thought I knew.
Why? Why do people keep dying to protect me? Can’t they see that it isn’t worth it?
“It will always be worth it,” Jaxon says, using our connection. He pulls me into his arms, and I hug him like life depends on it.
“Group hug!” Ryker shouts, launching himself at us and wrapping his brother and me up like a baby octopus. A giggle slips free, and together we all look up at the hulk that is Braxton.
He raises a perfectly groomed blond brow at us, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. He is shaking his head and laughing. “Ummmm no. I am not a hugger.”
“Neither was I,” I grin, barely able to see over Jaxon’s shoulder. “Then I met you guys.”
“Aw,” he sighs, stepping forward and joining our hug pile. “What the hell.”
“You left us out,” C.J. laughs, dragging Talon by the arm and piling in.
I have no idea where they came from, but I am glad that they are here.
Laughter, the real kind, bubbles out of me, as I am literally surrounded by the people that I love.
“I came to tell you guys that the council sent notice. Something about a trial by fire,” C.J. squeaks. Her words cut off as I pull her tighter.
“Tomorrow,” I laugh, choosing to take joy in the simple moments while I can.
“We will worry about who wants to kill me next tomorrow. Right now,” I sigh. “Just hug me.”
“Well I’ll be,” she laughs. “Those are words I never thought that I would hear you say Maci Madison.”
“Me either,” I laugh. “Me either.”
Tomorrow I will face another enemy, but tonight this is all that matters.
∞
~ The End ~
Avenge (Hillcrest Book 2) Page 20