Page 87 of Dominion

“Nothing,” he murmured, stepping back. “With milk?”

“Uh.” I was still confused over what happened. “Yes?”

“I’ll be there in half an hour, max. Don’t run away.” He grinned, slowly heading toward the stairs leading toward the ground levels, leaving me with giddiness in my stomach.

I kept my eyes on his retreating form, smiling to myself and hoping that this feeling he managed to awaken in me would last forever. I wished that there weren’t things out there waiting to destroy us all, and that this was just a regular day.

But it wasn’t, and it was futile wishing it was. The only thing I could do was try and preoccupy myself with other things, and if walking through the massive garden around the manor was that one thing, then so be it.

I started walking toward the staircase where Ash had gone, when my phone vibrated, freezing me in the spot. Maybe it was the natural reaction of my body, given that the last couple of times I had any messages they weren’t anything good, but I bit down on that fear that was rising inside of me and pulled it out, seeing the same number Danny messaged me from last night.

My eyes scanned the notification, my mind contemplating if I should even open it, but with Casimir out there and so many things hanging in the balance, I clicked on it, my heart thundering in my chest when I saw the message.

Did you really think it would be that easy?

Did you really think I would give you the location only for you to send that idiot to us. Think again, Sister.

If you want to see your friends ever again, and if you want them to live, you will come alone to the house where everything started.

Don’t disappoint me, Skylar.

You know I don’t like to be disappointed.

Words were stuck on the tip of my tongue, the curses I had reserved only for Danny. I would look back at this moment and think about the moment that changed the outcome of our future.

Because I didn’t think.

I didn’t go to Ash to tell him about this.

I didn’t inform Hunter who was still somewhere in the house, staying behind with us in order to protect us if anything happened.

I didn’t do any of those things, and I should’ve.

Instead, I ran down the stairs and looked into the kitchen where Ash ate his breakfast, his back turned toward me. I hoped he would be able to forgive me for what I was about to do. I hoped he wouldn’t curse me if this didn’t turn out well, but we didn’t have time. It was obvious that Danny had information the rest of us didn’t, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent this message now, when Casimir and his crew had already left.

I tiptoed through the hallway, thankful that the keys for the car we came in were still in the bowl where Hunter left them. Without a second thought, I snatched them in my hand and ran through the door.

My heart pounded almost painfully as I ran toward the car and sat inside, turning the ignition on. I almost collapsed when I saw Ash at the entrance, his eyes crazed, worried, filled with fear. I hoped he could see the apology on my face, but I couldn’t stay.

Even when he yelled my name, his voice breaking at the last syllable, I couldn’t stay.

And I should have.

30

DYLAN

I was counting the weeks,days, hours, minutes, and seconds until this moment, and I knew I had to wait just a little bit longer to go back to them. To go back home, to the two people I loved.

My knee kept bouncing as I sat in my car, waiting for the call as agreed with Casimir. I turned around to look again at all the documents that would implicate Judah, not only in the Order but also in an array of other things that would for sure lock him up for life.

I just needed that call.

My mind went over this a thousand times, my heart bursting every single time I thought about Skylar and how angry she was going to be when I explained everything. How pissed off Ash would be when I told him that I didn’t leave them because I wanted to, but because I had to help out in some way. I was ready to beg for their forgiveness, but once they realized what Casimir and I had done, they would understand.

They had to.

There was no other way.

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