Chapter 87 Eighty Seven
KAZIEL
Aaron picks up on the first ring. “Alpha?”
"I need you," I say. "Now."
"What happened?" He asks, his voice laced with concern. I don't answer that. There's just no time.
"I need you to trace a call," I continue. "Danika's foster dad was on the line. The call just ended. I need everything. Origin. Delays. Whatever you have.”
There's a brief pause for a moment. Keys start clacking on his end.
"I'm on it," Aaron says. "But Kaz, if Ember made the call—"
"I know," I cut in. There’s a high chance he won’t be able to trace it.
Beside me, Danika lets out a wretched sound. It's as though her body hasn't realized yet that it's allowed to breathe. So, I turn back to her.
She's curled in on herself on the couch, her fists twisted in my shirt. Her face is buried against my chest. Silent tears keep coming, and her eyes are now bloodshot. Watching her cry physically hurts.
I keep my phone wedged between my shoulder and ear and slowly run my hand through her hair. Over and over. And down her back In small circles.
"Track it," I murmur to Aaron. "I'll stay on."
Danika shudders.
"It's okay," I whisper to her, even though nothing is.
Aaron exhales. "The signal's masked heavily. Whoever did this knows what they're doing."
Ember.
Of course she does.
Danika's grip loosens suddenly. Her breathing slows down, and even her body goes slack against mine. She has finally shut down. Carefully, I scoop her up into my arms. She murmurs once, barely awake, pressing closer to me.
"I've got you," I promise, pressing my lips to her hair.
I carry her to the bedroom, lay her down, and pull the blanket up to her shoulders. Then I tuck her in, lingering longer than necessary.
My phone vibrates then, and I glance at it to see an image attachment from an unknown number. My chest tightens with unease, the image loading slowly.
Danika's foster father fills the screen. He's tied to a chair, and his head is slumped forward at an unnatural angle. Blood runs down his temple, his face bruised.
I let out a shaky exhale, running my fingers through my hair. He's still alive. But I can't tell how long that's going to last. My jaw locks so hard it aches.
Another message comes through immediately after.
"Bring Danika. Or he dies."
It has to be Ember. She's got guts, I must admit. But guts won't save her from me.
I look back at the bed, at Danika, who's sleeping soundly, unaware of the storm stirring.
Ember wants my mate. She thinks I'll hand her over.
I close my eyes, breathing deeply. It's about time I get rid of her. My phone vibrates again, and I snatch it up. This time, the text is from Tyler.
"South Ridge. 118 Carroway Lane. I'm distracting my mum. This is your cue."
For a moment, I just stare at the screen. Then I curse under my breath. Of course if anyone has a death wish, it's him.
But there's no time to dwell on it. I quickly type a reply.
'Get out when you can. Don't play hero.'
No reply comes. So, I reach out to my gamma through the mind link.
"Kira."
She answers instantly. "Yes, Alpha."
"I need you at the house," I say. "I want you to watch over her.“
"I'm on my way," she says. "Already moving."
I reach for a pen on the nightstand and write quickly on a piece of paper.
Dove,
I had to step out for a bit.
You're safe. Kira's here with you.
I'll explain everything when I get back.
I love you. Always.
—Kaz
I fold the note and place it on the nightstand where she'll see it the moment she wakes up. Then I go back to her and gently brush my thumb over her hair.
"I'll come back," I whisper. "I promise."
I lean down and kiss the top of her head, breathing her in. Then I force myself to stand. I'm halfway out the door when a motorcycle rolls in. Kira swings off the bike, helmet tucked under her arm.
"I was already on my way when your message came through," she says with a small smile.
I return the smile and clap a hand on her shoulder as I pass her. "Thank you."
"Kaziel," she calls out just before I reach the garage.
I pause.
"Be careful." She tells me, and I look back at the house.
My jaw tightens.
"I will," I say.
.....
The house at 118 Carroway Lane almost looks like a normal family home. The lights are on and the curtains are half-drawn. But then I hear the sound of a loud crash, followed by Tyler's voice.
"Mum, stop! You don't understand—!"
That's all it takes. I don't bother with the door. I materialize inside the living room in a blur of movements. Ember cries out in shock, her eyes wild. Colour drains from her face as she shuffles backwards.
"Kaziel—!"
I'm on her before she can finish the word. My hand fists in her hair, and I yank her close. I bare my fangs and rip into my own wrist, tearing it open without breaking eye contact. Blood oozes, and I spray it across her face.
She shrieks as it splashes over her skin, choking and clawing at me as my blood sizzles against her skin like acid.
"I'd like to see how fast you can run now," I tell her calmly.
She stumbles back, wiping at her face, sobbing in fury and pain. Her head snaps towards Tyler.
"You," Ember screams, pointing at him with a shaking hand. "You traitor! Did you bring him here?! I fucking hate you! You're my worst mistake!"
Tyler backs away, his eyes glassy.
"I—I didn't—" he stammers. "I just wanted you to stop—"
Ember snarls and starts muttering under her breath. A bloody spell. My fist connects with her jaw, and a sickening crack fills the air.
Her spell dies in her throat as her body crumples to the floor, blood pooling at her mouth.
The moment I turn away from her, Tyler lunges.
He hits me hard, slamming into my chest with the kind of strength he shouldn't have. We crash into the wall, plaster exploding around us. I grab him by the shoulders and shove him back.
"Tyler!" I bark. "Stop!"
His eyes are pitch black. Ember must have cast the spell on him.
He attacks again, wild and desperate, swinging like he doesn't care if he lives or dies. His fist catches my jaw. Another hits my ribs. I really don't want to hit him.
"She's inside your head, Tyler! Fight it!" I growl.
He screams, clutching at his head.
"Make it stop!" he roars, his voice cracking. "Please just make it stop!"
My chest tightens.
He's Danika's friend. The boy who chose not to damn her soul. And now he's truly on the verge of death.
I catch his next strike, wrench his arm behind his back and slam him to the floor. He thrashes beneath me, unnatural strength fuelling him.
"Tyler," I say fiercely, gripping his face so he has no choice but to look at me. "Listen to me. This isn't you."
His lips tremble, tears rolling down the sides of his face even as his body fights me.
I channel demon energy into breaking the spell on his mind, but he only thrashes harder.
"You're not alone," I growl. "And you're not dying tonight."
I'm so focused on Tyler that I don't notice Ember stirring awake. By the time she lunges and I move out of the way, it's too late. She has her knife buried in Tyler's chest. He sputters and coughs, his eyes reverting to their usual green.
"No—no—no," I snarl, dropping to my knees with him. "Stay with me."
Blood flows down his chin, panic flashing in his eyes in a way that almost seems childlike.
"Mum..." he whispers, and Ember freezes.
Tyler's fingers curl weakly in my sleeve as another cough wracks him. He cries openly now, tears rolling down his face, mixing with the blood.
"I—I used to think you were the strongest person in the world," he sobs.
"I tried to be like you," he whispers. "I defended you. Even when people were scared of you. Even when I was scared."
I press my hand harder to the wound, trying to stem the bleeding, pouring power into him. But the blade is cursed. It fights me.
His gaze rests on her.
"But now..." he breathes, his voice trembling, "now I don't recognize you."
Ember's face drains of all colour.
Tyler's lip quivers. "You're a stranger to me."
She stumbles forward, her hands shaking as she looks at the knife buried in her son's chest.
"Oh gods—Ty... Ty, no... I didn't—I didn't mean—"
Tyler coughs again, blood spraying across his cheek.
"Mum," he cries weakly. "It hurts."
She falls to her knees beside him, sobbing uncontrollably.
"My baby," she chokes. "My sweet boy—I've gone too far—I didn't see—I didn't see—"
Her shaking hands grab the knife.
I snarl. "Don't—"
But she doesn't pull it out to harm him. She presses her forehead to his, tears streaming down her face as she channels magic into him.
She yanks the knife out and slams her palm over the wound, power pouring out of her. It feels like she's tearing pieces of her soul away and forcing them into him.
"I'm sorry," she sobs over and over again. "Please forgive me. Please—please stay—"
Slowly, the wound begins to knit closed. Ember sings a lullaby through her sobs, her fingers stroking his hair gently.
"I've got you," she whispers shakily. "Mummy's here. I won't let you go. I promise."
But the cost is brutal. Her skin starts to shrivel, draining of colour. Tyler's breathing steadies, and his eyes flutter closed.
"You're okay," Ember whispers weakly.
Her hand slips from his hair, and her body gives out.
She collapses beside him, her eyes open and empty.
I sit there on my knees, one hand on Tyler's chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. Then I glance at Ember’s unmoving form.
She is gone.