Creators(84)

Robert turned around and nodded toward me. A wordless good-bye. I knew that he was thinking of his promise to Emma. He had vowed to keep her sisters safe, and this was the best way he knew to accomplish it. If he took away the council’s army, their power would be gone. We could run without being chased. We could search for freedom. The naturals would have a chance. Even if it was the smallest of chances.

I continued to pound on the glass until my knuckles bled. Robert said something to James, who nodded in response. It was going to happen. James walked back over to the glass and pressed his forehead against mine. Or at least as much as he could with our two worlds separated.

Please live for us. We’re worth living for, I mouthed.

I love you, he mouthed back.

His eyelids began to flutter. He buckled slightly as the toxin spread its way throughout his system. Despite falling to his knees, he kept his hand firmly pressed against mine. For as long as he could. When the poison made him fall completely back, I looked down at him. My eyes didn’t leave his. I blinked away the tears, furious that they temporarily took his image from me.

“I love you,” I cried out as his body slowly stilled.

And as he stared up at me, the light gone from his eyes, a smile on his face, I realized that to him, there was something worth dying for.

Us.