Page 46 of Fated for Dawn

I glanced at all of them, feeling conflicted.

“We’re here to help you. You need to trust our abilities,” Rafe reminded me.

“Exactly,” Alister agreed.

Zade leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “So, we’re using Evelyn as bait? Finally, a plan I can get behind.”

Chad rolled his eyes. “Of course, you’d approve of that.”

Lucien didn’t even look up from his drink. “Naturally.”

“I need to grow stronger and tap into more of my lineage’s powers,” I mumbled, thinking out loud.

“I can help you with that,” Rafe offered.

I smiled at him. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. I need to unlock the powers I’ve been avoiding.”

“Whatever you need, Eve,” Rafe assured me.

I nodded, resolving myself. “I need to embrace everything—every ounce of magic. If I’m going to face Eris, I have to master it all.”

“I’ll help too,” Zade mumbled.

I suppressed a groan. Of all the things he could offer to help with, it had to bethis.

A chill ran through me as memories flickered back—the monster I’d almost become when my magic was first unbounded. But if I had to be a monster to destroy one…then so be it.

Zade squinted at me, clearly sensing my reluctance. “My brother might be in danger if he does this alone. Who knows what powers you’ll unleash? Do you think I wouldn’t help if it means keeping Rafe—and the rest of you—from dying?”

I swallowed hard. “If you put it like that…” I whispered, guilt creeping in. He was right. If I lost control, Rafe could get hurt. I should have realized it sooner. Zade was more experienced than any of us; whether I liked it or not, he was Rafe’s brother. That made him family.

I glanced at Rafe, whose cheeks were flushed.

“Zade was always a bit overprotective of me,” he admitted.

“You’re my younger brother,” Zade grumbled. “It’s my duty to keep you safe.”

“Did you hear that, Ryker?” Chad batted his eyelashes at his brother.

Ryker grumbled something unintelligible.

Zade stood and smoothed down his shirt. “We should start now,” he said, nodding toward the doorway.

I frowned at him. “Now?”

He arched an eyebrow. “When then? After Eris shows up to slay us?”

“Yeah, okay. It felt easier when it was just talk. Actually doing it…” I trailed off, my voice faltering.

The thought of unleashing all lineage magic terrified me.

What if I couldn’t control it?

What if I hurt someone I cared about?

What if I turned into a large cockroach?

I shivered at the thought.

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