Page 55 of Between Imminent Fates

Lucius patted him on the shoulder. “You needn’t worry about the mechanics. All that is taken care of.”

“And do you really think you can kill me in cold blood, Lucius? You, the happy-go-lucky vampire who believes there’s good in everyone?”

“Oh, Lucius won’t be taking your life, Torrin.” Kaien stepped forward. “I will.”

“We’ll take it from here, fledgling,” Blair said. “We’ll inform you when it’s finished.”

Circe slipped her hand into her mate’s and turned them both towards the door. The leader of theCitizenssneered. “Get back here vampire, look me in the eyes as I die!”

Over his shoulder, Lucius merely said, “Don’t you remember, Torrin? My eyes are no longer yours.”

And then he was gone.

As Key had accurately predicted, Blair wouldn’t pervert Lucius’ good nature with the assassination. She’d been raised in the shackles of slavery. There was justice in ending an overlord who relished in the pain of others.

Blair caught her mate’s eye, managing a small nod. With the detachment of an executioner, Kaien placed his hand over Torrin’s heart.

“I vaguely recall you laughing as I nearly died on your couch. Turnabout is fair play, Torrin.”

A wave of electricity prickled over Blair’s skin as Kaien’s gifts sunk into the tissues of Torrin’s heart. Responding eagerly, the human’s pulse began racing, prompting his façade to drop as he drew in panicked breath after panicked breath.

“Wha—what are you …”

Torrin couldn’t finish the sentence, so Kaien did instead. “What am I doing? My gift is mending flesh, to prompt and speed healing. In this case, I’m going to speed up your heart. Your death certificate will say you died of a massive heart attack. Congratulations: you’re a statistic.”

Torrin’s meek struggle against his restraints was fruitless. Sweat dripping from his brow, he gasped for breath and his head slumped forward. Only Kaien’s hand against his chest kept him upright.

Blair’s exceptional hearing recognized the exact moment Torrin’s heart went into a frenzy. The stubborn will of theCitizensleader fell away to reveal a man looking his own death in the face.

In the end, they granted Torrin a mercy he would’ve refused Lucius: a swift death.

Chapter Twenty-One

Key

Torrin Scayde was dead.The news was met with celebration from every immortal leader who was connected to their plight.

Key’s eyes closed, the weariness of her burden somehow becoming lighter and heavier at the same time. One more step taken, an accomplishment that should’ve inspired her to keep going. And yet, she wasn’t celebrating. She knew what his death meant.

Instinctively, her mind searched for the one person able to make it all bearable: Jax. Locating his new psychic signature was child’s play. It seemed her own mind was keyed into his on a subconscious level, calling attention to the fact that she couldn’t seem to stay away.

She manifested in the hallway outside his apartment, knocking once to announce her arrival. Jax’s door opened to reveal his expectant smile, her name already on his lips, like he’d known she was coming. There went all her fears of being intrusive and startling him.

“Key.”

His dark hair was slightly tousled in a way that begged to be caressed. “Hi handsome.”

“Come in.”

Key grinned when Zeus leapt at the opportunity to run out and greet her. Something of a foreseer himself, Jax had grabbed the Husky’s collar before he had a chance to reach his goal. Giggling, she propped open the door while he dragged the dog back inside.

Whenever she was near him, it seemed that her troubles melted away. The heaviness of the future lightened the moment she saw his smile. Though it was unexplainable, Key cherished his effect on her life.

Jax loosened his hold on Zeus’ collar and the pup bounded over to Key again, with a flurry of excited yips.

“And what are your intentions this evening?”

Key put her arms around Zeus’ neck. “I’d prefer to spend time with Jaxson Hunter, should he be in the mood for an evening with a Raeth.” Her eyes met his, then dashed away at the heated intensity she found there. “Maybe hiking?”

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