Page 107 of Cursed Lifeline

Sighing, baited into continuing the argument the fae is so evidently insistent on having, I take a step back and start to rebuttal when I’m pulled harshly from behind. I’m disarmed before I can stop my attacker. A stealthy, possessive arm snakes around my waist as the man behind me raises a sword and points it at the fae princess.

“Mine,” he growls.

Despite the anger burning in my soul from the fact that he found us before I had the chance to free Celeste, I ease back into his embrace, shake my head, and smile. It pains me to admit it, but the fae is right. I didn’t stop and think about the consequences. If I had, I would’ve at least left Felix with a better goodbye than a scribbled note in my own blood.

“What on God’s green earth do you think you’re doing, doll?”

Taunting Felix and buying time, I sass, “You speak of the world as if there is another option besides what God so graciously blessed us with. Is there an alternative I should be made aware of?”

He places a trembling kiss against my neck. Breathing deep, he whispers, “Come home with me and I’ll show you both a heaven and hell that’ll make you feel every bit euphoric, immortal, and deliriously content before I ravage and punish you for ever thinking of putting yourself in harm's way again.”

“Tempting,” I grin, “But first, stop pointing a dagger at my friend.”

“She’s not your friend,” Felix hisses as Alfred, Caelum, and Silas step out of the shadows.

Evangeline’s pleading eyes flash to Alfred, then to Silas, before landing back on mine. To my surprise, my cousin and the watchers make no move to save her. The revelation leaves me staggered. But more surprising is when Evangeline reaches for Alfred and instead of accepting her outstretched hand, he hangs his head in shame.

Eagerly, she steps towards him, expectantly clinging to a savior who, rumor has it, just a few nights ago, would have moved heaven and earth for her if he could. Alfred takes a sorrowful step back and denies her. A quiet, heartbreaking sob falls from the princess’s lips. Tightening his grip around my waist, Felix takes a heated step forward with me in his arms and forces the tip of his blade against the fae’s chest.

“Felix!” Alfred warns.

Stunned, I hold the frightened eyes of the fae and try to understand how the tables have flipped on us so quickly.

“We had a deal,” Felix hisses at her over my shoulder.

Shaking her head, Evangeline cries, “I didn’t go back on it.”

“You didn’t try to stop her, either.”

“Stop her?” I question. “Stop who?”

“You,” Caelum blatantly states.

“Me?”

Felix's mirthless smile grows as he places another chaste kiss against my neck. “You led her to the end of a tale you alone hold a plot twist to, princess. Tell me, should I kill you now, let you take your secret to the grave? Or, should I run you through after she’s found out she’s been betrayed by one of her best friends?”

Forcing myself out of Felix’s arms, I harshly hold down his wrist, and I spin around to face him.

“No one is killing anyone,” I demand as I force him back a step. His chest heaves as he eyes the fae over my shoulder. Taking his face in my palms, I gently force him to meet my stare.

“Felix,” I grin wearily, “What on God’s green earth are you talking about?”

“Evangeline is the only soul alive who knows how to perform a ritual over your life that will resurrect the King of the Damned from the dead.”

My eyes widen. I turn and search Evangeline’s terrified stare as she starts to back away. Her hands scratch across the boulder behind her as she searches with calculated steps for an exit.

“Is that true?” I demand. She looks at Alfred, pleading for help. I study my cousin. His face fills with anguish, pain, a reluctance to do what he has to. Looking back at Evangeline, I shout, “Is that why you were so keen to help me escape? To bring me to Embers? To help me find Celeste even if it meant walking into Satan's lair so you could do his bidding?”

Evangeline’s pleading eyes shoot to mine. But I have no pity for her pathetic begging. Stepping angrily forward, I’m once again grabbed back by strong arms that anchor me to a lifeline that will always calm the storm that threatens to annihilate all reason.

“Let me go,” I hiss, just as Evangeline ducks around the boulder and out of sight.

Felix drops his hold and rushes after her, but Alfred steps in his path before he can round the boulder.

“It wasn’t an empty threat,” my cousin hisses. “Harm her, and I will kill you.”

Felix fiercely studies him. “You’re letting her get away,” he grits out after a moment.

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