Chapter 93 Ninety Three
DANIKA
I must've fallen asleep right there on the couch, I'm suddenly awoken by the sound of voices outside the house. Kira pads over to me and helps me up. Her movements are hurried. And despite how much I'm dying to ask questions, I let her steer me into her room, making me sit on the bed. Then she takes out a heavy looking tarpaulin and spreads it over the floor.
"What's going on?" I finally ask, and she gives me a smile.
"You'll be back in your body soon," she tells me and I nod, tearing up again as hope stirs within me. Once she leaves the room and I'm all alone, I think about my baby. Surely, she's perfectly fine, isn't she? What if Eve tries to hurt her? A whimper slips from my lips as I pull my knees to my chest, a tear sliding down my cheek. I would do anything. Anything at all to make sure my baby is safe.
Biting my lower lip, I sneak towards the door, pressing my ear against it.
Kira's voice reaches me first. Her voice is soft and warm and she speaks the same way she would talk to me. She's trying so hard for me. The thought makes me tear up.
"I'm just going to check your cores," she says casually. "And make sure the baby's okay. It won't take long."
Eve's voice—my voice—answers with a tinge of annoyance. "Is that really necessary?"
The wench. I'm going to screw her up so bad after I get my body back.
"Yes," Kira replies. "Humor me."
There's a pause. I imagine Eve faking a smile.
"Alright," she says. "If it'll ease your mind."
My stomach tightens, twisting into knots. The sound of a painful cough reaches my ears and my breath catches in my throat as I recognize it.
Kaziel.
"Are you alright?" Kira asks, her voice laced with concern.
"I'm fine," he replies softly.
The word sends a cold ripple through me. He's not.
I can hear it even from here. I can sense the strain and the lie laced through his voice. My fingers grip the fabric of my borrowed clothes. What if the Hollow really has returned? What if the sanctum failing let it seep back into him?
My heart pounds harder.
"I just need the bathroom," Kaziel adds after a moment.
"Second door on the left," Kira says quickly.
Eve clicks her tongue. "You should've stayed home and rested."
"I said I'm fine," he repeats softly. Before I can process it, I hear the sound of footsteps approaching. Towards me. A gasp slips out of me.
Is he coming to me?
Panic instantly slams into me. I glance down at myself, at Eve's hands, skin, and face. What if he can't stand the sight of me like this? What if the bond recoils even harder? What if I hurt him just by existing in the wrong body?
My thoughts scatter as the footsteps stop right outside the door. The knob turns and instincts take over.
I throw my weight against the door, my palms flat. My shoulders are braced, my heart slamming hard in my chest. The wood presses against me as I cling to it with all the strength I can muster. For half a second, it works. Then the door moves.
Effortlessly.
I yelp as it swings inward with me still pressed against it, my feet scrambling uselessly against the floor. A familiar arm catches me around the waist, steadying me before I can stumble.
A soft, breathy chuckle sounds above my head.
"Dove," Kaziel murmurs, amusement threading through his voice despite the exhaustion underneath it. "What are you doing?"
I freeze in his arms. Even like this—wrong skin, wrong body—he still knows me.
I'm still pressed awkwardly against the door, half-caught between panic and relief, when I finally lift my head.
Up close, it's worse.
His scent hits me first, and my chest tightens painfully. He looks exhausted and pale, shadows bruising the skin beneath his eyes. And yet the moment his gaze settles on me, his shoulders relax, like he's found the thing he didn't even realize he'd been searching for.
We just stare at each other.
This is wrong. I'm wrong.
"I—" I start. My voice comes out weak and unsteady. "I'm sorry."
His brows knit into a slight frown. "For... barricading yourself against a door?" he asks lightly.
I huff out a shaky breath. "I panicked."
"I noticed," he murmurs, glancing pointedly at where I'm still braced against the door.
Slowly, I step away. The space between us feels too big and too small all at once.
"I didn't know if you'd... if you could—" I gesture vaguely at myself, heat creeping up my neck. "You know. Look at me."
He studies my face again. He doesn't look disgusted.
"Dove," he breathes. "I knew it was you the second I got here."
My heart skips a beat.
"You did?" I whisper.
He nods once. "I haven't felt this peaceful all day."
That's it. That's all it takes.
I step forward and throw my arms around him.
It's clumsy. Eve's body doesn't fit right and my limbs are not moving the way I expect. But the moment I press into his chest, he exhales deeply and wraps his arms around me without hesitation, holding me tight.
I cling to him, my fingers fisting in his shirt. "I'm sorry I look like this," I mumble into his chest. "I know it's probably unsettling. I hate it too. I feel like I'm wearing someone else's skin and—"
"Hey," he murmurs, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of my head. "Easy."
He rests his chin lightly against my hair, holding me tighter.
"You feel like you," he says. "That's all that matters."
My throat burns.
I pull back just enough to look up at him, my vision blurry. "You're not lying to make me feel better, right?"
A corner of his mouth lifts. "I don't lie to you."
"I—" My voice cracks immediately. "I didn't mean to—I thought you were—I mean—"
He frowns gently, confusion flashing across his face. "Dove... breathe."
So I do. Or I try to.
"There you are," he murmurs softly, resting his chin on the top of my head. "I was wondering when you'd stop hiding."
Tears roll down my cheeks and I cling to him harder.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I look... like this.
"Hey," he says. "Look at me."
I lift my gaze reluctantly, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. His expression softens instantly.
"You could show up wearing the face of my worst enemy," he says gently, "and I would still know it's you."
My lips tremble. "You're sure?"
He nods without hesitation. "The bond doesn't lie."
I sniff, then I blurt out the stupidest thought in my head before I can stop myself.
"Would you still love me if I were a worm?"
He blinks.
"...A worm."
"Yes," I say quickly, mortified. "Like—a really small one. With no arms. Just vibes."
For a moment, he just stares at me. Then he laughs.
It's soft and breathless, like it surprised him too. He presses his forehead to mine, shaking slightly.
"I've fought so many battles," he says. "I’ve faced death more times than I can count. And this is the question that takes me out?"
My face burns. "It's important."
He sighs dramatically. "Fine. Let's address it."
He cups my face and looks me straight in the eyes.
"Yes, dove," he says solemnly. "I would still love you if you were a worm."
My eyes widen. "Really?"
"Absolutely," he continues. "I'd build you a very nice little terrarium. Moist soil. Premium leaves."
I laugh weakly. "You'd visit me?"
"Every day," he says seriously. "I'd tell you about my meetings. Complain about paperwork. Ask for your wormly advice."
I hiccup, laughing through my tears. "What if I couldn't talk?"
He shrugs. "Then I'd monologue. I'm very good at that."
I dissolve against him, my forehead dropping to his chest as a sob-laugh escapes me. His arms tighten around me.
"I'm scared," I admit.
"I know," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. "But you're not facing this alone."
I smile weakly. "Promise?"
"On my life," he says without hesitation.
I cling to him, my heart finally easing just a little. Eventually, he pulls away slightly and reaches into the pocket of his cargo pants, taking out a red bead necklace. Then he takes out a handcuff. He winces. I smile, nodding.
I understand that it’s to keep Eve restrained when the switch finally happens. Kaz places the necklace over my neck and leads me to the tarpaulin covered floor, sitting me down. He coughs into his elbow again, his trembling fingers working to handcuff my wrist to the bed.
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’ll be fine. Right now, fixing this is all that matters,” he tells me, and I gulp.
He lets out a shaky breath, a single claw elongating. He swipes it across his wrist, blood pouring on the tarpaulin in rivulets. My throat goes dry. There’s so much blood, it worries me.
Kaziel coughs again and uses the tip of his finger to draw what looks like a pentagram around me, all with his blood. Once he’s done, he glances at me, sweat glistening on his temples. I don’t know if I should be more impressed by how unfazed he seems by the amount of blood leaving his body or the fact that he effortlessly draws a perfect circle.
“We’re all set. The moment the circle starts to glow. I want you to say your full name, okay?” He tells me, and I nod quickly.
He rises and heads to the bathroom to wash off. Once he’s done, he returns and gives me a small smile.
“See you soon,” he whispers, and I beam.
He shuts the door behind him, and I heave a sigh. Here goes nothing.