Page 8 of Hellfire to Come
“You don’t need to explain yourself,” I said, though my voice trembled more than I liked. The moment the quiver broke free, her smile deepened, and I hated that she noticed.
My animal paced restlessly in the background, unsure if he should take over or disappear entirely.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, mate,” I said. “All you have to do is lead the way.”
A long moment passed.
Whatever was hiding behind Brooklyn’s gaze stepped forward, measuring me, stripping me bare.
I prayed fiercely, silently, that it would find me worthy. Because there was no doubt in my mind—I would fight the gods themselves to stay by my mate’s side, and I would die trying if I had to.
One breath dragged through my lungs, thick and heavy, every inhale a struggle against the weight of the air.
Then, suddenly…
A pressure burst.
The weight vanished.
It was as if the world sighed and let me breathe again.
“You truly mean that,” Brooklyn murmured, soft as starlight, and completely unconcerned that we weren’t alone.
“I will defy Death to stay by your side, Brooklyn.” With an iron will, I forced my body forward and took her fingers gently into mine. “The Fates can’t be that cruel to finally give you to me, only to take you away.”
Her chilled skin warmed beneath my touch.
I clung to her fingers with the desperation of a drowning man grasping dry straw. She stepped closer, our bodies brushing. I could feel the soft curves of her pressing into me, and it hit me just how long it had been since I’d truly felt my mate.
“You speak the truth,” she said on a breath, lips barely parting.
“With everything I am.”
Echo cleared her throat, shattering the moment, but Brooklyn didn’t let go.
In fact, her fingers threaded deeper between mine, tightening the hold. A silent promise. An understanding. I hoped she felt it too.
“I’d hate to be…” Echo began, only to yelp and leap backward with a startled shriek.
“If you hated it, you would’ve kept your trap shut,” Chester growled, glaring as he held up a clenched fist, strands of her hair dangling like a prize. “That was the most beautiful moment I’ve ever witnessed. And you ruined it.”
“You truly are preposterous!” Echo gasped, rubbing the spot on her head where the strands had come loose. “Did you seriously just pull my hair?”
“I thought tearing off a limb might be too dramatic.” He sniffed, shrugging. “Don’t make me regret it.” He ducked just in time as her fist swung for his head.
“We should go,” Brooklyn said with a quiet chuckle, shaking her head. “Before the children burn down the garage.”
All I could do was stare at her, struck dumb. I hadn’t heard her laugh in what felt like forever.
Another link in the chain around my chest loosened.
“What?” she asked, ducking her head with an awkward smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t shut me out. Please.” I pressed my forehead to hers, cupping her face as I breathed her in. “I’ll do anything you ask. Go anywhere you lead. Just… don’t push me away. I want to help bring her back.”
“I know.” She surprised me with a soft kiss, barely a brush, but it lit fire along my lips.
“Let’s take the fastest car,” she added with a wicked grin, “just to annoy Samir a fraction of how much he annoys me.”
