Page 82 of The Second Sight
“Brooklyn—” I began.
“Romeca has her,” he cut me off. “Look.”
I followed his gaze to see Romeca swooping down toward where Tarus had been dragging Brooklyn. The fairy warriorcollided with the hunter at full speed, sending him sprawling. In the same motion, she scooped Brooklyn into her arms and took to the sky, my best friend clinging to her in terrified bewilderment.
Relief flooded through me. Brooklyn was safe. But before I could fully process this victory, movement caught my eye. A hulking hunter charged toward me, eyes wild with bloodlust. The spear in his hands gleamed wickedly in the moonlight, its point aimed directly at my heart.
Time slowed. I saw Seven turn, saw his expression change from purpose to horror. He was too far, moving too slowly despite his supernatural speed. The spear was already in motion, cutting through the air toward me. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even close my eyes against death rushing toward me.
A blur of purple flashed between us. Theia’s wings spread wide as she threw herself into the spear’s path, her body shielding mine completely. The sickening sound of metal piercing her flesh echoed in my ears as the spearhead erupted from her back, golden blood sprayed into the air.
“NO!” I screamed as my mama’s body jerked with the impact. Her wings folded as she collapsed to the ground, the spear still embedded in her chest.
Seven moved in a blur, reaching the hunter before he could ready another weapon. His hands closed around the man’s throat, twisting with savage strength. The snap of breaking bone punctuated my mother’s fall.
I dropped to my knees beside my mama, my hands hovering uselessly over the wound. Golden blood seeped from around the spear shaft, spreading across her chest in a growing stain. Her eyes found my face.
“Kasi,” she whispered, her voice weaker than I remembered. “My beautiful girl. Oh, sweetheart.”
“Mama, no, please,” I sobbed, cradling her head in my lap. “You can’t. We just found each other again.”
Across the train yard, Desmond’s voice rose above the din. “Fall back! RETREAT!”
I looked up to see the bastard and Tarus climbing into one of the black SUVs, abandoning their dead and wounded without a backward glance. The engine roared to life as they fled, tires squealing against the pavement.
Romeca landed nearby, gently setting Brooklyn down before rushing to Theia’s side. Kyren appeared seconds later, his face twisted with grief as he knelt opposite me. Brooklyn stood a few feet away, shocked and confused. Seven positioned himself protectively near us all, watching for any remaining threat.
“Sister,” Romeca whispered, taking one of Theia’s hands. Golden tears tracked down her dark cheeks.
Theia coughed, more golden blood bubbling at her lips. “I had a vision,” she managed, each word clearly costing her dearly. “After years with no visions. I saw this battle... saw my daughter in danger.” Her eyes found mine again. “Sweetheart, I had to come save you.”
“Mama,” I cried, my tears falling onto her face. “Not like this.”
Her hand lifted weakly to my cheek. “Trust your dreams, sweetheart,” she whispered. “They will show you more truth than you realize. Our fae gift, it’s both a blessing and a burden.”
She turned her gaze to Romeca. “Sister, forgive me for staying away. I didn’t want to come back to the realm and bring you trouble. I thought... I could protect my people better... by disappearing.” Another painful cough racked her body. “Romeca, you are the yumboe queen.”
“No, Theia, I don’t want to be. I no longer want the job.” Romeca said.
“Kei’Mani.” Another cough bellowed from her throat.
“She’s fine. She’s with me. I have her.” Romeca cried.
“Watch over my daughters.”
“I swear it,” Romeca promised, her voice breaking.
Theia’s eyes moved to Kyren. “Nephew... so strong now. Your mother raised you well.” Her breathing grew more labored. “Tell Kei’Mani... I’m sorry I couldn’t be the mother... she deserved. Tell her I’ve loved her... every day we were apart, through every realm and beyond.”
“I will, Aunt Theia,” Kyren said, his deep voice thick with emotion.
She looked at me one last time, her fingers squeezing mine with surprising strength. “I never abandoned you, Kasi. Everything... was to keep you and Malcom, your dad, safe.” Her chest rose and fell in a stuttering rhythm. “I’m so proud... of the woman you’ve become.”
Then her eyes went still, fixed on some point beyond us all. The yellow glow faded from her eyes, and her hand went limp in mine. The spear’s shaft seemed to mock us with its presence, this mundane weapon that had taken a magical life.
I clutched my mother’s body to my chest, rocking back and forth as sobs tore through me. The tears streamed down my face. Six years of anger and hurt dissolved into pure grief. She had come back for me. She had died for me.
Romeca began singing softly in that same unknown language, a haunting melody that seemed to make the air vibrate around us. Kyren joined her, their voices twining together in what I somehow knew was a death song for a fallen fairy.
