Chapter 48 Forty Eight
DANIKA
My chest feels tight as I halt in front of a grey apartment door. This could be a trap. Maybe Hera set this up.
But I can't stop. Tyler... might be dying. And I can't leave him like that.
Sure, a part of me is still pissed at him. And yet... I can't help but feel that pull of old friendship as well as the bond we shared before everything got twisted.
I knock on the door, my knuckles stiff. My heart races as it creaks open. Tyler stands there, looking like a freaking zombie swaying on unsteady legs. There are blood stains on his unbuttoned shirt, the color stark against his skin.
"Cakes..." His voice is fragile, and it makes my chest tighten. "You... you came."
I swallow hard. "Of course I came," I deadpan, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. "You're not dying on my watch."
He gives me a weak, crooked smile. The one that used to make me laugh even in the worst times. Without thinking, I step forward, and he collapses into my arms.
"I... I'm sorry," he mutters, resting his forehead on my shoulder. "For everything..."
I stiffen slightly, remembering all the times he begged for forgiveness and how I used to feel irritated. Now... now I just feel familiarity. This is the Tyler I used to know, the one who made me feel like we were unstoppable together.
"You're my stepbrother, idiot. So, stop apologizing for this."
His lips twitch into a small smile at that. "Cakes..." he whispers, his voice trembling. "I don't deserve you."
"Stop talking like that," I say firmly, guiding him towards the couch. "You're hurt, and you need help. That's all that matters right now."
His body sways dangerously as I help him onto the couch. He has a stab wound along his side, blood matted in his hair from a head injury, and his clothes are soaked with blood. How did he even get home?
I hurry over to his medicine cabinet, grabbing all the supplies.
"Stay still," I warn, my hands moving to clean and bandage the stab wound. "If you die on me now, I swear I will throttle you."
He groans but lets me work, the trust in his eyes softening the anger I still carry from all those weeks of his guilt and apology.
"You know," he murmurs, his voice hoarse, "I never... I never wanted to put you in a tight spot."
"Yeah, well, congratulations," I say, biting back a laugh. "You did anyway."
He manages a weak chuckle. "Cakes... I... I just..." His words falter. "I…uh…miss you a lot."
I gulp, biting my lower lip.
He leans into my touch, closing his eyes, a small, fleeting smile tugging at his lips. "I remember... when we were kids... best friends. I... I missed that."
"You broke my heart, Ty," I admit softly, brushing my fingers through his damp hair. "We're never going to be the same."
"Does he...does he treat you right? Kaziel, I mean..." he breathes, wincing as I clean up his head injury.
I swallow hard and force a smile, even though my chest feels like it's caving in. "Yeah," I whisper. "He does."
It's not a lie, is it?
Tyler's lips part, as though he wants to say something else, but the effort drains what little strength he has left. His eyes flutter, the fight fading from his body.
"Tyler?" I murmur, tapping his cheek lightly. "Hey, stay with me, okay?"
He exhales softly, the tension in his shoulders melting away as unconsciousness claims him. The rise and fall of his chest slows into an almost peaceful rhythm. He looks... calm.
I sit back on my heels, letting out a sigh. It shouldn't ache this much seeing him like this. But it does. I lean forward and pull the blanket from the back of the couch, draping it gently over him.
"Don't die," I whisper.
My phone vibrates, the sudden buzz making me flinch.
I snatch it off the coffee table, freezing when I see that there's a new message from Kaziel. The words on the screen make my stomach clench.
'I'm sorry. I can't do it. I can't stay away.'
For a long moment, I just stare at it. The letters blur, swimming before my eyes as my throat tightens.
Is it him? My Kaziel? Or is it the Hollow speaking through his hands, pretending, baiting me into running straight back to him?
A shiver races down my spine. I glance at Tyler, who is unmoving, completely unaware of the chaos spinning inside of me.
I close my eyes and release a shaky breath. The night feels heavier now, as though the darkness itself is waiting to see which way I'll turn.
If I go to Kaziel, I might lose myself to the monster he's becoming. If I stay here, I might lose him completely.
Either way, someone's heart is going to break.
And I'm terrified it'll be mine.
...
By the next afternoon, the ache in my chest still hasn't eased. I barely remember the lectures or how long I sat staring at my notes without reading a single word.
All I can think about are those words on my phone:
'I can't do it. I can't stay away.'
I hate that I can't tell if it was really him.
Still, I decide to go to see him.
The corridors are quiet, the air humming with faint energy. My heart beats faster with each step towards his office.
Maybe we can talk. Maybe he's calmer now. Maybe... maybe the curse hasn't taken him fully.
I pause outside his door, my hand hovering just above the polished wood. The faint murmur of voices filters through the crack. So, I frown, leaning closer.
Someone's laughing, and I recognize their voice right away. It's Eve.
Something cold rushes through me, numbing everything from my fingertips to my throat.
I push the door open, my heart thumping faster when I see her hand on his arm. And Kaziel... he looks startled when he sees me, his eyes widening.
I don't wait for an explanation.
My chest burns as I spin on my heel and walk away quickly.
"Danika—"
I hear him call my name, but I don't stop. The air feels too heavy, the walls too narrow. I push through the front doors and into the open, just as the first raindrops begin to fall.
Cold water hits my face and my hair, soaking through my clothes in seconds, but I keep walking. I break off into a sprint, breathless.
I hate that it still hurts.
A car slows to a stop beside the curb, and a window rolls down.
"Danika?"
I blink through the rain. Bellamy leans across the passenger seat, concern on his face.
"You're drenched," he says, frowning. "Get in, I'll drive you wherever you're going."
I open my mouth to answer, maybe to thank him, maybe to say yes, because my teeth are chattering and my hands are numb.
But before I can speak, a hand closes around my wrist.
I gasp, spinning around. And there he is again. Kaziel.
His eyes are wild, his hair damp from the rain, and his expression is sizzling between fury and panic.
"Let go of me!" I snap, yanking at his grip, but he doesn't budge.
He pulls me closer, his jaw clenched. "What the hell were you thinking, walking off like that?"
"Walking off?" I scoff, shaking off his hand. "You were with Eve, Kaziel. I'm pretty sure that's enough reason to walk off."
He exhales sharply, rain dripping down his face. "You're acting childish."
The words hit me like a freaking slap.
"Childish?" I repeat, my voice trembling. "You don't get to call me childish after everything. Not after dragging me through hell, then sending that message!"
He moves forward, but I back away. The rain falls harder between us, blurring everything.
"Danika, it's not what you think—"
"Then tell me what it is!" I cut in. "Because right now, I don't even know what’s going on with you anymore."
He flinches, his eyes darkening for a moment. It's the Hollow again.
I take a cautious step backwards. "You should go," I whisper.
"Eve—"
"Don't," I whisper, my voice cracking. "Don't say her name to me."
I turn away, my wet hair clinging to my skin, my shoes squelching against the pavement. Bellamy's car door opens faintly behind me, but I don't move towards it yet.
Because Kaziel's voice reaches me again, trembling.
"Dani, please. I'm trying."
I can't tell if the shivers crawling down my skin are from the cold or the way his words echo in my head.
Childish.
Maybe I am.
Maybe I'm doing exactly what he did to me. Walking away before letting him speak, assuming the worst, letting hurt decide for me. The realization stings. I swore I'd never be that person.
My feet come to a halt and I lower my gaze feeling like I’ve just been slapped in the face. It is disgusting how much time I’ve wasted revolving around this conflict.
“Dani?” Kaziel breathes and I turn to look at him. He looks so tired.
“Let’s go home,” I croak.
“Is it going to fix anything? Tell her, Kaziel. Tell her how you begged for my touch,” my blood runs cold in my veins at the sound of Eve’s voice.