It’ll be okay,her eyes say.
I don’t say anything except gather her into my arms.
Seconds become minutes, and yet still, we remain together. I run my hands down her back. Slowly, she warms, and her skin loses its pallid color. I can’t help but notice how her soft body feels against my harder one. She fits me perfectly.Wefit together perfectly.
Eventually, I remember where we're standing and pull myself away.
"I love you," I say, pressing my lips to her forehead. I can’t stop saying the words, afraid each time will be the last. "But maybe we should head back into the city?"
She nods, understanding glimmering in her eyes. Lacing my fingers through hers, I tug her away from the dead Elite.
32
“Sixteen”
HELENA
There’s no way in the nine circles of hell that we are going back to the tower. Not when there are more Elites destroying things around the city. Killing people. Because of me.
Once we finish the threat, we will find my father and repeat the process. If he thinks he can send Conrad to deliver a message and expect me to take it lying down, he has another thing coming.
This war could last years, but I will take my place. I will be queen. I will take all of the power designated for me by my birthright.
And I will do this with Erik by my side. Watching him fight those Elite, battling for his life, was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. And I would not trade him for anyone else.
We’re running through the deserted streets, the only sounds are the combination of our panting breaths and pounding footfalls. The high rises stretch upwards, creating a labyrinth of concrete and stone.
Where the hell are the rest of the Elite?
They have come for me. Conrad’s message was unambiguous. This is happening because of me because of Erik and I.
But the streets are empty. They are playing a game, but I don’t know what it is.
When the midnight blue uniform of one of my father’s warriors flashes in my peripherals, I whip around. Before I can take a step forward, the merman is gone.
Why aren’t the Elite attacking?
Erik stops and squints. He is trying to see what I did. He holds his gun with both hands now, aiming very carefully. There are innocent people inside of the buildings around us.
I signal to Erik, and we carefully walk around the corner where the Elite had disappeared. I suck in a breath when I see the soldier scaling one of the fire escapes.
So, instead of attacking us… the male would rather escape?
Erik raises his gun and fires.
The male drops like a rock, momentarily paralyzed. Another Mer warrior bursts from the nearest apartment building. Outside of their swift, graceful movements and long lives, Merfolk are no stronger than anyone else. But long lives provide ample opportunity to perfect skill, making them as dangerous as any immortal Daemon.
I’m running down the long stretch, leaving my heart behind with Erik so that he can deal with the female Mer warrior attempting to shove a knife into his throat.
Another DaePolice car rolls through the street next to us, continuing to blare a dire message. This one is different from before and, somehow, even more ominous. Cold beads of sweat appear on my neck as I listen.
“This is a complete lockdown. Stay in your homes, close your windows, keep—”
I tune the depressing message out as I sprint to the fallen Mer. Wet eyes look up at me as he twitches on the ground. I raise the knife, angling it towards the space between his ribs that will pierce his heart.
A scream erupts behind me. Like a shark rushing through a school of fish, it splinters my soul. I know that voice because it belongs to the other half of my heart.
My heart falters in my chest as I turn to watch Erik. He’s engaged in battle with a member of my father’s forces. They are circling each other, their swords clanging in the silent streets. The Mer is more skilled, and I watch in horror as she is working to weaken Erik.