I knew, deep in my heart, that this was a creature who required someone as strong and fearless as she was. She was barely beginning her life as a succubus, and I wanted to show her that I was someone she could be proud of, someone she'd be thrilled to have near her.
I reached for the pendant in my pocket, pulling it out of its little pouch. I stared at the wolf's head, its fangs clasping the strange diamond, the little flame still flickering inside. The old fae's words echoed in my mind, making me wonder whether I'd already found someone to give this pendant to. She'd spoken of true love, a soulmate who would reveal what the pendant could do.
I lay on my back, Anjani's body warm next to me. She'd fallen asleep in her black silk dress. The fabric glazed her hips and thighs. The pendant dangled on its delicate silver chain, loose between my fingers.
Should I give it to her?
My eyes wandered up and down her side. Despite my usually carefree attitude as far as people and emotions went, I seemed to take Anjani very seriously. I wanted to give her the pendant, but I feared it was too early, as I had yet to fully grasp the weight of everything she meant to me.
Was she my soulmate, or was she a passing challenge, someone who would leave her mark on me and make me stronger? Would she stay with me? And if she did, would she come with me back to The Shade?
I somehow didn't see the latter happening. She was Anjani of the Red Tribe, after all. A silver-blooded Eritopian tasked with one day leading her sisters. I was but a wolf-boy who'd stumbled upon her, unable to walk away at the sight of her in danger. I was a stranger, an outsider who missed his home and old way of life and yet found himself fascinated and even thrilled by this new world.
There was a conflict brewing inside of me. How could I give her such an important gift, a pendant for which one day I'd have to repay an old fae with a favor, when I wasn't even sure whether we'd last?
Would I be the one to stay here? Or would she be the one to be persuaded to follow me?
I decided to hold on to the pendant for a little while longer until I'd figured it all out. I needed to have a better picture of what lay ahead, of what she truly felt for me, beyond the explosive physical attraction. I needed more.
Serena
We landed in the river, the water thankfully deep enough for us not to break our bones on the bottom.
I quickly swam up to the surface.
The stream flowed away from the castle. My survival instincts were strong. My eyes darted around.
I saw Sverik and Hansa swimming ahead. I kept myself afloat, moving my arms for some kind of direction. Draven popped out from beneath, wheezing and spitting out water as he shook his head, regaining his senses.
"Are you okay?" I asked, and he nodded briefly.
We looked up. The black castle towered over us. Water poured out from where we'd jumped. Destroyers had slithered to the edge of the opening. They threw spears and shot arrows, but the projectiles failed to hit us. They flailed as they hit nearby trees and rocks on the river bank.
We weren't out of danger yet. Soon enough, more Destroyers and incubi soldiers would swarm along the river with no intention of capturing us alive.
Draven looked up and stilled, his muscles freezing. His eyes went wide and rolled back in his head.
"Draven!" I called out, but he didn't respond.
I followed his line of sight and saw a dark figure atop a terrace a few levels below where we'd jumped. I used my True Sight to get a better look, and my body instantly stiffened. Horror coursed through my veins like thick blocks of ice. Azazel stood there, massive and grinning, his eyes fixed on Draven's.
I recognized the serpent medallion that Aida had told us about, gold with ruby eyes, moving endlessly on the chain. I saw Azazel's lips move, as Draven broke into a seizure, sinking into the water.
"Serena! Draven! What's happening? We need to move!" Hansa shouted after us, several yards up the river.
"Something's happening! Azazel's doing something to him!" I yelped.
I grabbed Draven and pulled him above the water, wrapping my arms around his chest from behind. He was heavy, and I didn't know how long I'd be able to keep him afloat. My own body caved under the pressure.
"Draven, please!" I begged him, my eyes stinging with tears, as he trembled against me, choking.
I had to do something. I was losing him. I syphoned as much energy as I could from him, his golden warmth filling me, sating my inner sentry. I felt a ribbon of deep red pain slither into my chest. He was in so much pain and unable to control himself.
I channeled everything inside of me into a barrier. I let the power build in me and thrust it all out with a roar, throwing the pulse outward with all the force I could muster.
I switched on my True Sight again and watched as the barrier hit Azazel with enough strength to knock him off balance.