Page 106 of Soulless Deeds

“It’s okay, Em. Go save our girl,” I said. Her expression hardened from my order, and resolve settled in the depths of her eyes.Yes, save her.

I wish Spencer and I could have had our future. The fond delusion a promise I would have coveted above all else.

I would have hitched her to me—all mind, body and soul type of shit. I could envision our babies, the most beautiful creations, and I’d be the coolest fucking dad ever. We would fight, laugh and love to the extremes.

For a snapshot of time that dream was within reach—so fuckingnear.

Pain.I felt my pulse stutter, and Emerson’s jaw clenched, sensing the hiccup.

My grip tightened, pulling off her fingers clenching my chest. The vestiges of her Variant wanted to hold the damaged piece of muscle together, to keep the decrepit organ beating in a failing body. She needn’t worry.

Gazing into Emerson’s stark blue eyes, I poured all my resolution, belief and conviction into her, giving my unerring truth. “Spencer is living proof that my heart now beats on the outside. Go.”

She understood.

Emerson closed her eyes for a split second as if letting the monumental decision sink in. Then, she bowed low and swept a kiss to my forehead, sealing it with a prayer. “Farewell,brother.”

Then, I was alone.

XLII

Spencer

Darkness taunted me, my consciousness fraying at the seams. With the unfolding situation, it would be the worst possible timing to be knocked out cold. I’d freely offer myself as a sacrifice—as soon as I completed all the shit I had to do.

Step one: Kill Camilla.

Step two—well, I hadn’t gotten that far yet, but as it stood, that plan sounded like a good one.

Except I had one measly obstacle I had to overcome before I could make that happen. A teeny, tiny piece of metal that happened to be embedded in my chest.

Ignore the rising fluid in my lungs that threatens to drown me from the inside. Also better to disregard the immense pain that radiates from my beaten, broken form.

Yeah, best not to mention it.

Instead, I thought of the vomit-haired ogre that used a measly hunk of metal to best me.

“That cheating, weak bitch,” I cussed, dreaming of all the ways I could bring about Camilla’s demise. If only my body would listen to my commands.Get up.

A rushed, musical voice interrupted my progress. “Woah, woah, woah. If you move any more, you’re going to bleed out.”Any more?I’d barely shifted a couple of inches.

A familiar force invaded my senses, manipulating the composition of my blood, enhancing my body’s natural healing process.

Emerson’s Variant.

My mind might be fuzzy, but I still had enough working brain cells to know that Echo’s injury was serious—serious enough to require Emerson’s intervention longer than the timeframe they were given.She should be with Echo!

I recoiled from her touch, alarms blaring in my head at the repercussions of her being there, alongside me. “What are you doing here? You’re meant to be with Echo.”

“Don’t,” she commanded. Then, just as fast, her voice lost all gusto, all confidence. “Don’t ask it of me, Spence. Don’t make me go.”

I spat, attempting to rid the metallic taste flooding my mouth.

“Echo,” I croaked. “Tell me. Tell me he’s?—”

My sister blatantly avoided my gaze, and I snapped. “Emerson King,lookat me.”

I hadn’t said that name in so long, that the call itself had her orbs bouncing to mine at speed. That’s when I saw it—in the ocean blue of her shimmering eyes, I saw the truth. She needn’t have confirmed further as with two words, she utterly split my soul in half.

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