Page 101 of Lethal Souls

“What are you two talking about?” I ask, stepping deeper into the room.

Killian cuts his eyes to Caz, who simply tosses up a hand in a whatever, just tell her motion.

“Caz was just telling me your plans,” Killian answers.

“And?” I note the way Killian’s shoulders soften.

“We can protect you, Willow. I don’t think you should go through with it. If it’s the baby you’re concerned about, we’ll look after him or her. We guarantee it.”

I huff. “Killian, you’ve protected me enough.”

“And I’ll continue doing it. You’re family now, Willow,” he says. “I don’t want to see you getting hurt.”

“Don’t bother, Kill,” Caz grumbles, eyeing me. “She has a death wish, and no one can stop her.”

I scoff. “It’s not a death wish, Caz. It’s hope.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Willow.”

I’ve never seen him like this—so angry with me. I’ve never felt him like this either, his chest tight and his feelings guarded.

“You shouldn’t do it.” A different voice fills the room just as tears accumulate in my eyes.

I whirl around as Caz instinctively moves closer to me. At least he’s still willing to protect me.

Korah steps into the room, donned in all black. Her hair has been braided into a halo, and for once, she isn’t glowing. She’s like a shadow in the night, blending into the dark corners and walls.

“See?” Caz says, frowning at me as he gestures to her. “Someone agrees.”

“Why not?” I ask, keeping my focus on her and ignoring him.

“Because when the time comes, we need you alive,” she replies.

“The time for what?” I ask, exasperated. “I hate all these vague answers, Korah! Just be transparent.”

She purses her lips. “Hassha will do whatever you ask because she owes you a debt. If that is the case, I owe you a debt too, and I will not be able to repay you if you are dead.”

“Still so fucking vague.” I cross my arms. “You told me the truth about my mother. Fine. I’ll accept it. But you can’t deny that it’s a good plan to charge myself up in order to protect the baby and others right now.”

“The bigger the child grows in your womb, the stronger they will become, Willow. Think about that. You were birthed from a Mythic, and you are Cold Tethered. But even Mythics and Cold Tethered can’t defy the odds of a baby born from the seed and blood of a Regal. Hassha will tell you there is a possibility because, just like you, she relies on hope and thinks she can fix everything. But as someone who does not give a damn about hope, I am telling you right now, the birth of this child will kill you if you feed it any more of our energy.”

My heart slows in rhythm as I stare at Korah. She stares right back, refusing to look away.

I drop my chin, and anger floods through me. I squeeze my hands into fists so tight my nails pierce my palms.

“Willow, please.” Caz’s cool fingers press to my chin. When our eyes connect, his are glossy, pleading.

Damn it.

I hate seeing him like this. Torn. Hopeless.

“I just…I want to be able to help, Caz. That’s it.”

“Help us by staying alive. Can you do that?” he asks.

My throat feels raw, but I answer anyway. “It won’t be enough.”

“So fight,” Korah suggests. I turn my attention to her, and she’s gesturing out of the room. “If you want to do more to feel prepared, come with me to Monarch Terrain right now.”