I step into his line of vision and glare. “What about my freedom? What about my justice? My revenge?”
He lets out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry Lucky. I really am. If it makes you feel any better, they’re being held for high crimes and will likely be stripped of their powers and banished to the Wasteland for all of eternity.”
“No, it doesn’t make me feel better! They need to pay. They need to die! And I have to be the one to do it. For Kayla…for Michael…Cody and Ivy. For me.” I stomp my foot so hard, the trees beside me tremble.
“Lucky, if I don’t turn them in safely by the time my contract expires, I will be bound to the Supreme Legionary for the rest of my life. Do you know what that means? I will be a slave, forced to do their bidding, whenever and wherever they want me, with no free will, for the rest of my wretched life. I’ll have to leave here forever…that means never seeing you again. But, if I turn them in before the bounty on them expires, then I am free. That’s the deal I made with them after I met you. I knew I needed to be here with you. That’s why I was gone for a few days…not that you probably even noticed. I made the deal for you…so I could be with you…so I could have a life with you.”
My hollow laugh seems to be coming from someone else. “Well, that’s a pretty crappy deal you made because if you don’t tell me where they are right this second, not only do I never want to see you again, but I’ll kill you right here and now.” Instantly, two large balls of fire erupt in my palms. I raise my hands ready to unleash them.
His eyes flash wickedly. “Lucky you don’t mean that. Listen to what I’m saying…”
“Oh, I’m listening…and all I hear is how this is all for you. Well, I have news for you. I don’t care what the cost is, or if I die trying—I will find the Amazèa, and I will kill them. Not you or any other creature on this planet, alive or dead, is going to stop me. And if you get in my way I will kill you and not think twice about it. Understand?”
“Lucky…”
“Get out of my sight…you make me sick,” I turn my back to him. I can’t let him see how devastated I am.
I hear him sigh. “It doesn’t have to be like this.”
I don’t move. “You need to get out of here, now.” My voice is barely above a whisper, but the threat is unmistakable.
“I’m leaving. Don’t follow me. I’ll know if you do…”
I spin around, feasting my fiery eyes on him for what I hope is the last time. “You are done giving me suggestions. I have my own ways of finding them. And I will. But I will not follow you. I’ll never follow you anywhere…”
“I’m so sorry, Lucky…” He gives one last pained look before turning around and disappearing into the night.
My heart shatters into a million pieces. Spinning, I hurl the balls of fire onto a tree behind me, and it explodes with a thunderous crack. I collapse on the grass and scream as loud, and as long as I can, until I can scream no more.
Then I cry. I cry for Michael and Kayla, and their unjust and cruel sacrifice. I cry for Ivy and Cody, in the wrong place at the wrong time, at what should have been the happiest moment of their lives. I cry for the pain I felt as I spat those hateful words at Kieron, and the cold look in his eyes when he betrayed me. I cry for his unfair predicament…his and mine.
And I cry for us—me and Liora—because our only chance to reunify as one and reclaim our rightful life will mean losing the one boy we both love.
We truly are damned.
******
Tears blur my vision as I angrily slash my way through the forest, but they don’t slow me down. I could run through the woods blindfolded if I had to. I’m too upset to ride Diablo right now; I need to move my body, to do something with all this energy before I explode. I knock down trees and blow up boulders as I sprint through Dryndara, handy outlets for my all-consuming rage.
Tatiana sits by the fireplace waiting for me as I burst through the door and send it flying across the room, narrowly missing her. She doesn’t flinch.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I shout at her.
“You didn’t ask,” she replies quietly.
“Do not patronize me, Tatiana. I am livid. I want to kill…I want to kill…”
“Who exactly?” she asks, a small smile on her face. The rage inside me boils to such a point I fear I’m going to completely lose control. I take several deep, measured breaths, and storm around the small room.
“You know exactly who I’m speaking of. The Amazèa. Kieron. They’re back and you didn’t tell me…”