He had taken a long shower, washing the AllFather’s muck from his body and it was there, with the hot water pounding on his head, that the idea of leaving had presented itself. Lock wasn’t sure where he was going, only that he needed to get away.
Living with his brother had always been the most natural thing in the world. But now that the connection they had shared since birth was cut, it didn’t feel right any more. Even if he and Deep had still been getting along, it wouldn’t have worked. And since they’d declared open warfare on each other, the idea of continuing to live in the same suite and share the same bed as they had since they were babies was completely unthinkable.
I’m an island now. A single that used to be a double. It was something he had secretly wished for sometimes as a child. Deep had always been abrasive and argumentative, making it hard to make and keep friends. Sometimes Lock had wished he was a different kind of male, a Blood or Beast Kindred instead of a Twin. Someone who could live life on his own instead of always being tied to another.
But now that he had his wish he just felt…empty. I don’t even hate him anymore, he realized tiredly as he packed. Because he’s not my brother now that the tie between us has been cut. He’s just a stranger. And I’m alone…all alone for the first time in my life.
He would be even more alone once Kat died but he didn’t want to think about that. He wanted desperately to go see her, to tell her how he felt one last time before it was too late. But something kept holding him back—maybe it was the fear that once he said goodbye the whole situation would finally be real. Lock knew it wasn’t logical to delay for such a reason but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t want to admit the woman he loved—the only woman he had ever loved—was going to die.
Oh my lady…Oh Kat…
“I’m back, Brother.”
The sound of Deep’s voice behind him startled Lock and he turned to face his twin.
“What did Mother L’rin say?” he demanded. “Did she give you any hope?”
“None. I’m sorry.” Deep’s shoulders slumped. “She did say there might have been hope—if we were both bonded to her. We could have diluted the poison—shared it between us until it was no longer deadly. We could have saved Kat’s life.”
A swell of fury and despair threatened to overwhelm Lock but he stood his ground, his hands clenched into fists. “But we can’t now, is that it? Now that you’re no longer bonded to either one of us?”
“We can’t,” Deep acknowledged heavily. “Because of me. Because of my foolish pride, my fear, my arrogance. I’m sorry, Brother. This is all my fault.”
Despite the emotions tearing him apart inside, Lock couldn’t help looking at his twin in surprise. “What a shock—the infallible Deep finally admitting he has some faults. But saying you were wrong now won’t help anything. It won’t save Kat’s life…or keep me from leaving.”
“I noticed you were packing.” Deep nodded at the compressor and the half full box. “Where will you go?”
“I don’t know,” Lock said tiredly. “I’ll stay here until Kat is…until she’s gone. But after that…” He shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows?”
“Anywhere away from me, I guess,” Deep said in a low voice. “I can’t say that I blame you, Brother.”
“Don’t call me that,” Lock said, but without heat. “As you pointed out, it no longer applies.”
“Lock…” Deep came forward and put a hand on his shoulder. Lock wanted to shrug it off but he was too tired. He looked into his twin’s eyes instead…the eyes of a stranger.
“What?”
“I know I’ve made a mess of everything. I’ve ruined all three of our lives and cost Kat hers. But I need a favor.”
“A favor?” Lock raised an eyebrow at him. “After all you’ve put us through, you have the nerve to ask me for something?”
“It’s easy. And small. It will only take you half a second—less. I swear.” Deep looked at him earnestly. “Please, Brother, if you ever loved me, grant me this one thing.”
Lock sighed. “All right, I should say no but…what is it?”
“First swear you’ll do it.” Deep’s grip on his shoulder tightened. “Swear on our fathers’ graves.”
“Our fathers were buried at sea,” Lock reminded him. “But I know what you mean. Yes, I swear it.”
“Thank you.” Deep breathed a sigh of relief and took a step back.