Page 86 of Worse Fates
Sighing, Summer fishes out her pink sparkly phone and scrolls for a moment, then hands it over when she’s found what she was looking for.
Rurik takes it, eyes wide, mouth open.
“Oh God…” he whispers, his big shoulders shaking. Tears crystallising in his clear blue eyes. “My little star…”
Since I’ve met Rurik, I’ve thought he was a dick. The few moments where I haven’t wanted to punch him in the face are overshadowed by all the times I have wanted to. Then a broken noise leaves him, hollow and wretched, like it was pulled from some grave Rurik long buried. Lucero moves, cradling the back of his brother’s neck, pulling him into his shoulder. Rurik presses Summer’s phone to his chest, as if it were Apollo himself, and all my heart can do is break.
Chapter Thirty - Lucero
“I have to find him, Luc.”
The cold breeze whirls between Rurik and I as we stand outside, though we don’t feel its touch.
Hoping fresh air would calm Rurik, I brought him outside and away from the hostility. Now, for the first time in long, tense minutes he speaks—with the single-mindedness of a man who’ll see his goal through, or die trying. He squints into the distance, searching for Apollo through brick and metal, years and distance.
Golden and Kai gave Rurik a distraction from his slow suicide, but that’s all it was. Just another escape, minus the drugs, alcohol, and faceless men. So while Rurik searches for ghosts, I focus on my flesh and blood brother. The wind may not send shivers down my spine but the thought of Rurik losing his second chance does.
I grip Rurik’s shoulder, hoping the pressure is one to bring comfort.
“Let me take Golden home, then we’ll begin our hunt.”
Rurik nods, gaze always locked to places I cannot follow, yet it’s clearer than it has been in years now he has found a finish line.
A dinging bell pulls my attention to the door as Ramy strolls out, the low murmuring inside inviting as a fire. But one I suspect we, or at least Rurik, aren’t welcome to.
“Kai asked to go home.” Ramy stands aloof as the wind picks up his hair, seeming to try and tease his unyielding expression away.
Rurik doesn’t react, his thoughts elsewhere.
“Until we find Jace he’s in danger. Kai is safest at the mansion with Golden until then,” I say, pulling away from Rurik.
Ramy lifts his chin. “And I told them that.”
“Them?” I don’t like the sound of that.
Ramy levels me with a look. “Golden said he’ll follow Kai—”
“Out of the question.” I snuff it out like a candle in a storm.
“They know. Kai’s just…” Ramy’s hard gazes flick to Rurik’s then back to mine. “He’s shaken.”
An impatient growl leaves Rurik. “Who gives a fuck? I’ll kill that asshole Jace soon enough, then get Apollo back.”
Ramy scoffs. Tossing his long hair away from his face, unamused.
“Do you have something to say, Ramy?” Rurik demands.
Ramy’s dark glare freezes worse than the glacial breeze. “Why don’t you just leave? You're either disinterested or bare your fangs at anyone who doesn’t do exactly what you want. Like Kai, you hurt him!”
“I’ve apologised,” Rurik bites out, yet his jaw clicks.
Ramy raises his chin. “Barely.”
“For fuck sakes, Ramy, what do you want from me?” Rurik clenches his fists. “I will make it up to the boy later, but saving Apollo is my priority. Don’t you want me to be happy again? You have no idea what living this half life has been like! Having nothing to live for.”
Ramy’s back goes rigid. In the silence that follows the wind picks up, its blunt chill chafing along the dark, barren streets.
“Nothing?” he replies, too proud to show the hurt I hear ringing clearly as a bell.
