by Vicki Leigh
And Richard, waiting for us with Alex and Adelynn by his side, like he’d known this day would come all along.
cy fingers played down my spine.
“Ooh, did it just get chilly in here? You Protectors always give off such a strong vibe,” Richard said.
Do not go visible until I give you the okay, I commanded my team. He can feel us, but he can’t see us. We still have the advantage. Slowly, I walked toward Richard, Kayla’s hand in mine and her other one death-gripping my arm.
Richard shook his head. “I was really hoping you’d call this off, Daniel, especially after getting Nolan killed. You won’t believe how angry”—his eyes flashed yellow—“it makes me that you tricked me into killing my own son.”
Kayla’s fingertips dug into my flesh.
“Hate to break it to you, Richard,” I said out loud, “but your son stopped loving you the moment he learned what you did to his mother.”
The building vibrated as Richard’s irises turned liquid gold. Adelynn shot a volt of electricity in the direction of my voice. I barely dodged it. Richard stuck his hand out, stopping her from any further attacks.
“Not until we get her,” he mumbled, trying to keep his voice quiet.
He wants Kayla, I told the group. As long as she stays hidden, he’s afraid to attack. Close in on them, come up from behind, and take them down.
With a wave of Richard’s hand, Revealing Powder burst from bags above our heads.
Shit.
Run! Back to the stairwell! I shouted.
But the moment the sparkling dust touched the faces and skin of every Protector, our bodies glowed. I groaned in pain, the powder burning like acid.
“Now!” Richard screamed.
From behind me, the snaps of whips rang out. Adelynn’s electricity hit every Protector square in the back. We screamed, falling to our knees.
Within seconds, Vinny, Bernice, Ashleigh, and Kayla—all visible now—took up a battle with Adelynn and Richard. Alex’s hands stayed motionless at his sides. But Richard was too strong. He tossed up an invisible shield in front of Adelynn and himself while simultaneously blocking every attack.
One large blast of air from Adelynn sent Kayla and the other three toppling backward. All four of them landed on the floor with hard thuds. From every corner of the room, Nightmares slithered through walls, blocking our exit, ready to strike the moment Richard gave the word.
I rose to my feet, my pulse thrashing and every muscle in my body stiffening. The rest of the Catchers followed suit, circling Kayla and the other three Magus. I swallowed hard and clenched my jaw, shaking the nerves out of my hands. I was tired of running.
Either Richard died tonight, or we did.
My fingers twitched as I locked my gaze on Richard’s movements, waiting for the right moment to pull my gun from its holster.
I hadn’t killed him the night he murdered Nolan. This time, I wouldn’t fail.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of our system,” Richard started once Kayla and the others had risen to their feet, “I think it’s about time we all had a little chat.” Richard waved his hand over the flames. They flashed red. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to tire of all the lies and tricks. My attempt to fool you killed Giovanni. That little stunt you pulled in Garnant killed my son. The last thing I want is to lose my daughter, too.”
I was proud of my ability to read people. Often, it made them angry, but knowing when someone was being less than honest was a trait that had benefitted me on multiple occasions.
But right now, I’d have given anything to shut it off, to be naïve to the emotions running across Richard’s face. Because when it came to Kayla, he was telling the truth. He didn’t want to lose her.
And, God help me, she saw it, too.
“Then, stop this,” Kayla said. “It doesn’t have to be this way. Come with us, stop this apocalypse thing, and we’ll keep Apollyon from coming after you, together. Please, no more killing. For me—for Nolan.”
Richard’s face fell. When he spoke, his voice was sad. “Oh, my darling, if only it were that easy.”
“But it is,” Kayla said, stepping toward her father.
Kayla, no, I warned her, but she ignored me.
“You have me, and Adelynn, and Alex, and all the Magus in the room. You can still control the Nightmares. With all of us together, with Daniel and the Protectors, we can take on Apollyon.” She was only feet from her father.
My hand inched closer to my gun, my adrenaline spiking to an all-time high. My pulse was erratic. Something was wrong. Kayla, get away from him.
“My love, I cannot simply walk away from the deal I made,” Richard said. “Margaret’s already fulfilled her purpose; Alex has accomplished his, giving me the power I needed to lead my armies into battle. All that’s left are for you and Adelynn to do your parts. Apollyon will be satisfied, and you and I will be free to join your mother and start where we left off.”
Kayla frowned. “Dad… Mom’s dead.”
Richard smiled, not menacingly like I’d become accustomed to, but genuinely. Yet, for some reason, the sight turned my blood to ice.
“Kayla,” Richard said, “your mother’s alive. I got her out of Columbus before it was destroyed. She’s been with me the whole time.”
Kayla’s strength faltered. “What?”
Daniel, what do we do? Samantha’s voice filled my head.
I swallowed. I don’t know. Don’t take your eyes off Richard.
Why, after everything, would Richard show a bit of humanity? Was it possible he would join us against Apollyon to be closer to his daughter?
My stomach churned. Richard had tortured me to the brink of death again and again because I’d refused to join his cause. He’d set a Nightmare on Kayla when she tried to escape her prison—he’d possessed her and almost killed her just God knows how many hours ago. There was no way he wanted her because he loved her. He’d been in her head multiple times; he knew her every desire and every fear. He’d claimed no more lies and no more tricks, but this was the perfect con.
Kayla, don’t get any closer. I need you to trust me.
Richard held out a hand to her. “I promise I’ll take you right to her. We’ll be a family again.”
Kayla, don’t. It’s a trap. Baby, please, listen to my voice. Stay with me.
The room was so quiet; I could hear a mouse clicking across a steel rod above.
Kayla reached out to take her father’s hand.
Kayla, he is not going to take you to your mum!
Their fingertips were mere inches apart. Richard’s smile hardened.
In less than a second, my gun was in my hand and pointed at Richard’s head. I stepped forward. Kayla, get down!
Turning to me and seeing the gun, she screamed, “Daniel, no!”
Her slight movement was all I needed to line up the perfect shot. I pulled the trigger, and a loud boom echoed off the walls.
The bullet froze in the air.
My stomach fell to my knees.
Richard sighed, and the projectile clinked on the floor. “I have to say: you really are good, Daniel. Too bad. If only you’d waited a few more seconds, you and your friends might’ve gotten out of here alive.”
Adelynn snatched Kayla’s wrist, yanking her toward the fire. Around me, my teammates raised their hands and weapons as Richard’s Nightmares attacked. Blades met rawhide skin, and elements flew around the room. Terror ripped through my veins. Kayla yelled for me, shouting to leave her and save myself. But I knew Richard better than that. Even if I wanted to, I’d never be able to evaporate.
And there was no way in Hell I was leaving Kayla behind.
The fire grew taller, redder as Adelynn yanked Kayla toward the flames.
Daniel, run! Kayla screamed.
My heartbeat was in my ears, my throat, my fingers, my knees. I’d never reach her in time if I tried to sprint. There was no way in hell I could throw a blade that far.
Damn it, I ha
d to use the gun.
God, please let this work.
Maybe with all the Nightmares, the bullet would slip through unnoticed this time.
Grimacing, I swung my arms toward Adelynn and fired.
I stared at my target, waiting for the moment she dropped Kayla’s arms.
White-hot pain shattered my gut and splintered my back. Dropping my gun, I fell to my knees and gasped, gripping my stomach as blood spilled between my fingers. I lifted my head, catching Richard’s stare. He smirked.
“No!” Kayla screamed, her pupils turning the color of blood.
Every window in the building shattered as a loud, thunderous crack detonated in the night sky, and the fire blasted to the ceiling. Kayla flung Adelynn off her as if she weighed no more than a small dog, and as Kayla dropped her arms, she shrieked again, her voice loud and magnified, as if it were feedback from a speaker.
Volts of bright blue electricity exploded from Kayla’s body, not just from her hands but from every pore, every crevice. Each Nightmare erupted the moment the lightning hit their bodies, like an electric line’s transformer blew during a powerful storm.
Of our enemies, only Richard, Adelynn, and Alex remained, and the glare Kayla shot them sent shivers down my spine. The room cooled to near twenty degrees, and her eyes continued to glow red while her hair whipped behind her like she’d jumped from an airplane.
“This ends now,” she said, snapping her fingers.
Adelynn’s body burst like a water balloon.
No.
Killing Adelynn had come too easily.
For the first time, legitimate fear passed over Richard’s face. “All right. I believe you, now. With you by my side, we can take on Apollyon. The apocalypse is over. I promise. No more death.”
Kayla’s head tipped to the side, her face devoid of emotion. “I think there’s room for one more.”
“No, don’t!” Alex tried to stop her.
Kayla lifted her hand, and Richard rose off the ground. Like Margaret, his body flew higher and higher, stuck in a spread-eagle position. His whimpers were the only sound in the warehouse.
My heart raced. She was giving into the dark magic and falling way too fast. But this is what we wanted, right—killing Richard? My legs shook as I tried to stay alert enough to pull her back.
A devilish smile broke her face, and then she twisted her hand. Richard’s scream shook the walls as he split into five pieces, each limb ripped from his body and tossed into the fire. I gagged, the look of ecstasy on her face too reminiscent of my nightmare.
Squeezing my eyes closed and fighting tears, I called out to her, Don’t give into it, Kayla. Stay with me.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Alex’s voice bounced off the walls.
My legs quivered. I leaned forward onto my hands as light-headedness overtook me. Pressing my lips together to keep from puking, I opened my eyes. Death would not have me until I knew Kayla would be okay.
Kayla turned, her red eyes surveying the room and her hair still whipping behind her. The air stayed chilled, and I shivered—from the cold, blood loss, and fear. Thunder rolled louder overhead as Kayla stood motionless, her head tipped back and arms out to her sides like she was basking in sunlight.
The room spun. Ti amo, rosa mia, I said to her, my arms shaking beneath my weight. I crumbled to my stomach, screaming when I hit the floor. My love… Come back to me…
“Kayla, stop!” Lian shouted. “It’s over! Richard’s dead! Daniel needs you!”
Someone’s hands touched my back, and I groaned loudly into the floor.
“Seth, Ivan, give me your shirts and your belts. Now!” Samantha yelled.
Unable to keep my eyes open any longer, I let them close.
“No, don’t you dare,” Samantha pleaded, her voice wobbly as she stuck her arms under my torso to fasten a tourniquet. “Daniel, you stay with me! Don’t give up. Think about Kayla.”
My eyelids fluttered open to the size of slits. Kayla…
The floor tiles blurred; blackness surrounded my vision. I couldn’t move my arms or legs anymore, let alone lift my head to see the girl I loved one last time. A tear rolled down my cheek. Using every ounce of energy I had left, I sent Kayla my final message: You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you for saving me.
Samantha screamed. “Kayla, help!”
I slipped into unconsciousness.
Fingertips stroked my hair. Soft, gentle. Kayla’s familiar strawberry scent wafted in the air.
Had I made it to Heaven after all?
“Hey, look, his eyelids are moving,” Samantha said.
“Find Bartholomew,” Lian said. “He’ll want to know Daniel’s waking.”
Bartholomew? My eyes opened.
Pain, like my skull being crushed, ripped through my head. Nope. Not dead. I gripped my forehead, groaning and squeezing my eyes shut as Kayla jumped from the chair next to my bed.
She touched my cheek, and the chill was intoxicating. “The elixir, Sam.”
I swallowed hard as a wave of nausea threatened to explode out of me.
Kayla slipped her hand behind my head, and she bent me forward, bringing a cup to my lips. “Drink, Daniel.”
With my eyes still closed, I removed my hands from my forehead and placed them over hers, guiding the liquid into my mouth. Cold, minty chocolate bounced on my taste buds. One of Bartholomew’s concoctions, I was sure. Almost instantly, the pounding in my skull subsided. When there was no more liquid left, I dropped my hand, and Kayla moved the metal cup from my face.
Relief passed through me, and I opened my eyes. Seated on the bed next to me, Kayla locked her shining eyes with mine. She shrunk away slightly, biting her lip as a slow, timid expression came over her face. What was she afraid of? My chest fluttered. Yes, the scene in Columbus had been terrifying. Never would I have wanted her to be responsible for such brutal deaths. But I loved her, all of her, now and forever, no matter what. How could she still doubt that?
I shot upright and slammed my lips on hers, not caring who saw. Butterflies danced in my stomach, my chest, my limbs. Kayla whimpered, and then the cup fell from her hand, clanking on the floor. She wrapped her arms around my neck as our mouths opened and closed. I stuck my hands in her hair, kissing her so hard it hurt, every part of my being floating.
We’d won. We’d really won. I was alive, and she was herself again. For the first time, we were free to be together and not worry if tomorrow was our last. For the first time, our future was bright.
She pressed her palms against my bare chest, and her touch, her warmth, sent waves of craving through my body. I ran my hands down her neck, her shoulders, her waist. I ached to throw her on the bed, touch her, and kiss her until the end of time. But as my longing for Kayla grew, so did the reminder that we weren’t alone.
Gently, I held her face in my hands and pulled away, kissing her nose and forehead. “You have nothing to be afraid of, love. You will always be the world to me.”
Kayla grinned, squeezing her eyes shut and leaning into my left hand as a tear rolled down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb and pulled her to me. Her warm cheek on my bare chest was like Heaven.
“Well, that was awkward,” Seth said, standing next to a smiling Samantha. Lian and Ivan stood in each other’s arms in one of the corners. Tears glistened in Lian’s eyes.
I took a moment to absorb my surroundings. The bed I lay on was one of the only pieces of furniture in a small room that resembled a Hawaiian hut. In fact, the air even smelled like the ocean, and a slight breeze blew in through the open door. Before I could ask where we were, Vinny walked through the entryway, Bartholomew behind him.
Seeing the small, thin Arab alive and healthy brought a smile to my face. After two hundred years of studying with and learning from him, he was a piece of my afterlife I’d become accustomed to—a friend. And after he sanctioned my relationship with Kayla, I owed him everything.
“I see you’re feeling better, m
y boy,” he said, returning my smile.
“I am, but how did I get here? I thought for sure I was dead.”
“You were,” Samantha said, her happiness fading. “I tried to stop the bleeding, but I couldn’t. The bullet destroyed too much when it went through you.”
“It’s a long story, man,” Seth said. “But I’m not sure we’re the ones you should hear it from.”
My eyebrows scrunched. “What are you talking about?”
Bartholomew stepped to my bedside and touched my forehead with the back of his hand. “Kayla’s asked to be the one to share the story.” He shot her a soft nod before stepping away from us. “Daniel will make a full recovery. Let’s give them some time alone. It’s going to be another hot day. I say we go swimming.”
“Ooh, skinny-dipping!” Seth shouted, to which the others replied a firm “no.”
I shook my head. Things still hadn’t changed, not really. “How long have I been out?”
“Two days,” Samantha said, stepping outside.
Two days? Blimey. “Where are we?”
Bartholomew grinned. “My own private getaway. Welcome to Saltum Island.” He opened his arms wide and backed through the doorway. The rest of the group followed, still arguing with Seth about the necessity for bathing suits.
“He has an island?” I asked Kayla, trying to joke, but her smile was gone.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about him,” she replied, sitting up out of my hold. She tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears, not meeting my gaze.
I touched her knee. “All right. Tell me. What’s going on?”
Her chin trembled. She swallowed, her eyes filling with tears again. “I messed up, Daniel.”
I rubbed her thigh. “No, you didn’t. The dark magic… yeah, it consumed you for a moment there. But you saved everyone, you stopped Richard, and Alex was still alive at the end. Even in the darkness, you could tell good from evil. You were brilliant, Kayla. And though I can’t say I wasn’t terrified, I’d never been more proud of you.”
Her face scrunched, and another tear fell. She shook her head. Her voice wavered when she spoke. “You won’t be when you see this.”