Page 30 of Darkness Colliding
Chapter Sixteen
The Secret
Cameron
It should unsettle me. Walking into the Core of the Underworld should probably make me nervous. But as I wrap my arms around her, letting the hard beats of my heart strike against her back, all I can think about is how much I hope nothing changes. I hope we’re together like this no matter where we are. Even if we’re here in this literal hellhole for the rest of our lives.
Unless she shoves me away once she knows.
The Carcass Creature moves along at a sluggish but stalking pace. The thing’s massive head turns this way and that as if watching something that none of us can see. Nollix found the creature, and now the four of us are huddled up on top of it. My palms flatten against her stomach, not really hanging on, but just … exploring the soft feel of her body against mine.
Long locks of her hair flick against my face. Instead of turning away, I lean into her, settling my head against hers. I’m just—I’m so fucking tired.
Her fingertips trace against the back of my hand and pain stings through me as I pull away from her touch.
“I can’t believe she bit you.” She takes my hand back in hers. Her quiet statement is the only sound as Nollix leads us closer to the one place a mortal like myself shouldn’t be adventuring toward.
Dry blood covers the back of my hand, appearing darker around the odd teeth marks. The crazy Demon really did want to eat me.
Surprise, surprise.
What would they have done if they’d pulled me through that window?
I shake the tormenting thought from my mind. Because they didn’t. I’m alive. I’m fine. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
“How’d you three get into the Wild Hunt?”
A sigh skims over her lips. It’s a heavy and tired sound that makes me pull her closer against my chest. Her fingers drift up and down along Link’s side, and he doesn’t look back at either of us. But I see his palm brush over hers, squeezing just slightly.
“Nollix solicited the Reveries.”
The Reveries.I can’t believe he had the balls to disturb those Witches.
“Not my fault I knew they needed me.” His tone is a sound of amusement, and I can’t seem to wrap my head around why he’d ever willingly join the Wild Hunt. It’s close to death. It isn’t living, and it isn’t dying, it’s just … there. In this in between realm that’s cut off from the world.
Not that I have anyone in the world I care about, I suppose. Just the woman who’s in my arms at the moment. The woman I might never have the balls to tell how I feel.
Maybe that’s why he did it. Maybe he was alone like I am.
“Nollix is really good at his job.” A smile pulls at her lips, but it doesn’t quite make it into place.
“The best of the best.”
I roll my eyes at the cocky half Demon.
“The Wild Hunt accepts Demons?” I try to phrase it in the least judging way possible, but it still sounds like a judgement even to my ears.
“The Hunt is picky. They’d probably take your sorry ass if they needed someone to fill the four spots,” Nollix tells me without care.
Sometimes, I think he runs through a list of shitty retorts and tries to pick the best one that’ll piss me off.
“Link was placed there by my father.” Her voice dips to a low and quiet confession that distracts me from the irritating half Demon.
I press my palm firmer against her, hugging her from behind. Her head lowers, and a beat of silence passes between us all.
“He originally took me away and said he wanted someone responsible in the Hunt.” Link’s attention remains straight ahead on the deep crimson sky. “I believed him. I didn’t really have a choice, and I didn’t really put much thought into why he’d care much what the Hunt did. When Vi joined the Hunt a while later, I realized he wanted someone responsible to watch his daughter.”
Guilt sinks through me. I met the man Violence was going to marry. I met her mother. I met her family. Her father let her plan her future without ever telling her she’d never have one.
