Page 83 of House of Kallan
It was effective.
While we tried desperately not to hurt the children who remained outside facing us, they were fighting to kill. Too scared to do otherwise. Not for the first time, I wondered what they were told to force them into this. I didn’t see a single face that looked like they were enjoying what they were doing.
At the time, I hadn’t thought it could get any worse. We fought off the attacks more than went on the offensive. But then I blinked, and I no longer saw the faces of the blank robo-hybrids or the fear-filled eyes of the kids. I saw bright white souls. There wasn’t a smudge of black on them.
It made killing them that much more difficult. This wasn’t a choice for them. They weren’t doing this because they were bad people. I was reminded of stories I’d heard about the nonsupernaturals and how some countries forced everyone to join their military in times of war.No oneescaped this. Child soldiers were a big thing.
When it was kill or be killed, maybe worse, what choice do you have but to do as you’re told? With the threat of watching those you love murdered in front of you, would you really refuse? If you’re promised torture as opposed to death, would you not just give in?
These were the thoughts that swam through my mind, not just while the fighting continued and I watched innocent lives fall, but they followed me into the underground safe houses where I was curled up on the floor trying to forget.
I couldn’t even enjoy the sight of my man in his full angel getup. Eyes and wings and a deathly glow. It was hot to see. Literally. It burned eyes! But I couldn’t enjoy it because I knew those who were being seared weren’t doing this by choice.
Lazarus picked me up, and I blinked back into the present as he joined me on the floor, bringing me into his lap.
“Stop thinking,” he said quietly, kissing my head. “Shut down for a bit, baby.”
I sighed. Like that was a choice.
But I tried not to think about it and focused on those around me. Close by were the Taikas, surrounding their kids. I’d heard a bit of what happened at Haven, and wasn’t at all surprised that Tatum had left her assignment to defend the children and women that were under her care.
As the story went, the children on the third floor held their own. It was largely thanks to them that the entire building had been cleared.
“I’m so proud of you,” Jasper said, hugging the triplets to him. There were tears in his eyes as he did. Even from here, I could see his hands shaking. I couldn’t imagine letting all my kids fight while I was forced to leave them.
“You did good, Jas,” Torin said, holding Jasper and the kids to him. “I know that was a difficult decision, but you made the right one.”
“Would you have made the same?” he challenged.
Torin smiled. “If I had been you, I’d like to think that I would.”
“But had you been there, it wouldn’t have been necessary,” Jasper said. I’d never heard that man sound bitter. But there was no mistaking that tone. “I get it. This was short notice. But fuck, Torin. You’re a goddamn hellstorm of magic. You better find a way for me to fight next time.”
“Next time,” Plum muttered.
“There will be a next time,” Torin confirmed.
My attention was taken when I heard Bellamy’s somewhat shrill voice say, “What the hell is this, Kormak?”
Shifting slightly, my eyes widened at the row of scarred over puncture wounds running down the middle of his torso. Bellamy held his shirt up.
“War wounds,” Kormak said.
“War wounds?!” Bellamy repeated. Horrified. I knew what he was thinking because I could see it written all over his face. The thought was loud in my head. One of those puncture wounds had gone straight through his heart.
He’d been killed.
“I’m here now,” Kormak said, pulling Bellamy to him. “It’s over and I’m here.”
“You better not fucking leave me!” He clung to Kormak, shaking. Edison looked over their heads, happening to catch my eye. We shared a look that said we both saw the truth too.
I tuned them out after a while and closed my eyes. I just wanted to forget. Forget it all.
When I opened my eyes again, I realized I must have dozed. The lighting hadn’t changed—it wouldn’t since we were underground—but I was surrounded by my family as we cuddled together under blankets.
We weren’t alone, though. Several of our friends were close by and I listened to them talk as I peered over the blanket.
“The families were a distraction,” Tatum said. “They wanted attention elsewhere so they could hit Haven.”
