Chapter 165 Damian's POV
Kira looked up from her book. "Because you are dying and you are scared. And you are pushing people away because you think it will hurt less when you're gone.
“But it won't. It will just mean you died alone and miserable instead of surrounded by people who care about you."
"I'm not scared."
"Liar."
"I'm not-"
"You are terrified. I can see it in your eyes. You are facing death and you're scared and you don't want anyone to know because you're supposed to be the strong one.”
“The doctor, the one who saves everyone else."
She set down her book. "But you are allowed to be scared, Damian. You are allowed to need people that don't make you weak."
I wanted to argue to push her away again but I was so tired. So sick and she was right I was scared terrified, actually.
Not of death itself but of dying without having really lived. Without having loved without having let myself be vulnerable with anyone.
"Fine," I said.
"You can stay but stop trying to fix me there's nothing to fix."
"I'm not trying to fix you. I'm just trying to be here with you. There is a difference."
She went back to her reading and I closed my eyes.
The darkness inside me kept spreading. I could feel it in every cell, every breath became harder, every heartbeat more labored.
I was dying soon, maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow but soon.
Night fell and the camp grew quiet. Kira had finally left to get some sleep, though I knew she would be back at dawn.
I lay in the darkness, listening to my own struggling breathing.
Then my phone rang and I looked at the screen for an unknown number. I almost didn't answer but something made me pick up.
"Hello?"
"Hello, brother."
Xavier's voice was calm and cold like he was calling to chat about the weather.
"How did you get this number?"
"I have my ways. I know everything that happens in your little refugee camp. I know about the evacuation, the diminished numbers, the desperation."
He paused. "And I know you're dying."
"What do you want?"
"To offer you a choice, a way out of the death sentence our father's curse placed on both of us."
"There is no way out, you said, so the curse is unbreakable."
"The curse is unbreakable as long as we remain on opposite sides but if you denounce your loyalty to the light. If you come over to our side, serve Erebus as I do, the curse will release you."
I went very still. "What?"
"The curse balanced us one light, one dark. But if we both choose darkness, there's no imbalance.”
“No need for one of us to die, you could live, Damian be free of the pain, the black veins, the dying."
"In exchange for serving Erebus for betraying everything I believe in."
"In exchange for your life, your future, the chance to actually be with that woman who keeps following you around. Kira, isn't it? She's quite devoted. Shame you'll never get to see where that could go."
"How do you know about Kira?"
"I told you I know everything. I've been watching you all. Waiting for the right moment."
His voice became persuasive and gentle. "Come to me, brother, let me take you to Erebus. He can break the curse, save your life, and give you everything you've ever wanted."
"And all I have to do is betray everyone I care about."
"You won't care about them once the curse is broken. Once you see the truth that Erebus isn't the monster they've painted him to be.”
“He's a visionary leader who wants to unite all the packs under one banner. End the pointless territorial wars and create lasting peace."
"By torturing people by forcing them to convert through pain and dark magic."
"By showing them the truth some resist at first. But they all come to understand eventually and you will too."
I should have hung up should have refused immediately. But the offer was tempting so tempting.
To live to not die in agony over the next few days. To have a future instead of just waiting for the end.
"I need time to think," I said.
"You don't have time. The curse is accelerating. You will be dead within forty-eight hours, maybe less."
Xavier's voice hardened. "This is your only chance, Damian, come to meet me at the coordinates I'm sending you tomorrow at midnight. Come alone and I will take you to Erebus. He will save your life."
"And if I don't come?"
"Then you die painfully slowly while everyone you love helplessly watches your choice, brother."
He hung up.
A text came through immediately GPS coordinates a location about ten miles from our camp.
I stared at the screen.
I could go and meet Xavier and potentially save my own life.
But at what cost? Betraying Elara. Kaden. Everyone in the Blue Moon Pack becomes the enemy.
Or I could refuse to stay loyal and die with honor. Without ever having really lived, the phone felt heavy in my hand.
Tomorrow at midnight. I had until then to decide.
Live as a traitor or die as a hero neither option felt like winning.