Page 114 of Mantle

That was sick on so many levels.

Kai Hunter was somebody who lived for his magic.

It was everything to him, a core part of who he was.

“It started when Blackline Protocol was invoked and I didn’t return home to the Maven Coven. But it wouldn’t just be returning. Under the current situation, with what’s happening in the supernatural world, it would be expected that I take up the mantle at this specific point. Under their control andtutelage, of course. For many years, before they believe I’m ready.”

“You’re beyond them, beyond that fucking Coven. You always have been, Kai. Especially these days.”

“And they see that, Ari. That’s what this extreme reaction is about. Word has reached them of what I’ve been up to, the feats I’ve performed, the connections I’ve made. And it has them worried. Afraid, actually.”

“And when your parents are afraid,” I said, my voice low and fierce, “they react dangerously. Just like they did when they created that legacy enchantment. When theybrandedyou the day you were born.”

He reached out and cupped the side of my face. “We fight for each other, right?”

“Of course.”

“Well, we can’t do that, sweetheart, unless we know what we’re truly fighting.”

“I know,” I said, grasping his hand on me. “I discounted that warning and I convinced myself that it couldn’t even be a possibility. I convinced myself that there was also no pointspeaking of it. But it had been weighing on me. And now… after not only discovering that the Wrath of Hades is here, but seeing it used just like it could be used to killme…I don’t want to hold on to that alone anymore.”

“Then you won’t. The three of us will be with you, endure it together.” Emotion flickered in his eyes. “About what else happened… what Corvin did, even just you seeing him again after the trauma of those few years back… I’m here to help you sit with that, to process it, okay? All three of us are.”

“I need tonight, Kai. I need tonight and maybe a couple of days to… process, to come down from it all first.”

He leaned in and kissed the top of my head. “Of course. And… something else—for when you’re ready to talk about it, or even just start facing it. Since Nyx started remembering those horrific memories from the Chimera Circle experiments, I’ve been searching. I found a Healer—one who specializes in trauma and mental healing. Someone you could consider, too. She helped Ryker. He’s actually seen her recently—after Draco’s sword returned to this plane. It brought a lot back for him.”

“Thank you. It’s a really thoughtful idea. One that all four of us could do with after what we’ve endured.”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “Undeniable.”

There he was moving toward making light of his own trauma. But then I saw him grit his teeth, stop himself, then tell me, “I can’t forgive this… this violence masquerading as control… through their fear.”

“Forgiving them for this when there’s no remorse on their end would be like accepting it.No.What they’re doing to you is demented, Kai. And through it all, they made you feel guilty for not accepting the role they’ve forced you into. It’s layers of emotional manipulation and extreme toxicity. And they know you can’t respond with outright refusal or denial because they’ve tied your ability to continue doing magic to you performing yourduty, something that this magical burning is aiming to remind you of in the most brutal way.” I gestured at his chest. “I can heal that for youandforce it back against them, while also creating a block to prevent it from happening again.”

“It heals a little while after I use my magic anyway. And forcing it back, blocking it, it’ll cause a political incident. Celestial involvement, let alone outsider involvement in Coven matters is a sensitive issue, as you know.”

“I have no problem facing the consequences. Or, even better, exposing the whole deal as to why this interference is necessary. But I get why you don’t want it done this way. There’s not just your parents to worry about. There are innocents who are members of the Maven Coven and have no idea this is going on, along with students who are there to learn to use their magical abilities and grow into themselves and their power. But, Kai, something needs to be done. Not down the road, not just before graduation and your official deadline.Now.I can’t stand this happening to you and Nyx and Vorzyr would lose their minds if they knew about this latest act from your parents.”

“They will know. We’re working on sharing even things that we’d mistakenly viewed as burdens upon those we love. So I’ll tell them. However, it will be coming along with good news as well. A shitload of hope, actually.”

“How so?”

“Sylas found a way out for me.”

“What? Is that why you were there at his place?”

“There’s a little bit more to it than that.” He sighed, then gestured toward the porch steps. We settled on the top one, our knees brushing as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his side. I let my fingers drift over his chest—just below where the brand was. He took a breath, then told me quietly, “He’s sick. He’s… changing. Essentially, Sylas is being turnedinto a vampire—but in a way we’ve never seen before. With what we know now, I’m certain Corvin caused it.”

I shuddered. “Corvin? But how could he hurt a necromancer that badly?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” he admitted. “Sylas wasn’t exactly forthcoming. But Corvin attacked him recently—and it accelerated the condition. He was using a serum he developed himself to slow the desiccation. But after the attack, it wasn’t enough. He used to take it once a day—now he needs it multiple times. I was helping him make more, but the kind of magic required to keep producing it… It’s not sustainable.”

“It will be if I infuse my power into it. It will be able to be replicated as much as needed, for eternity.”

“I know. I told him that I’d run it by you. But it’s a big ask and I didn’t want you to feel pressured to do—”

“I don’t. He doesn’t deserve this. He’s also your friend. I’ll do it whenever he’s ready.”

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