Page 62 of Fate of the Fallen

Errol stood, not bothering to ask questions as he took Beth’s hand and practically sprinted from our hiding spot between the pews.

“There’s an attic,” he panted. “I came to check this place out a few nights ago and found a way up there. The main stairs have rotted and caved, but there’s a ladder we can use to bridge the gap, and then pull it up with us so no one suspects anyone’s crossed it.”

He didn’t understand.

There was no outsmarting Nick, no hiding in an attic and hoping for the best. Beth and I shared a glance and I believed we shared the same thought as well.

The only chance we had … was to run for it.

“We might be able to get out in front of him if we stick to the woods,” I suggested, pulling the hood of the cloak over my head.

“But, Evie,” Beth interjected, her gaze drifting down toward my stomach where, just beneath the loose-fitting material, my newly-rounded stomach ached and burned with the sudden growth, but … we had no choice.

“I’ll be fine,” I lied, knowing the pain I felt would only increase if I overdid it, but I was certain death would be worse.

We moved toward the door and it wasn’t until Beth stared at me with that hopeless look that I realized I had teared up. The next second, a few fell and there was no hiding it. We didn’t have time for our emotions to get in the way, though. The proof of this was the sound of another of those bloodcurdling roars.

And he was closer.

“Promise me something,” I sniffled, doing what I could to conceal how distraught I was on the inside. “Promise me that, no matter what, you won’t look back,” I said. “Promise me you won’t slow down or double back because of me.”

Beth was already shaking her head before I even finished. “Absolutely not,” she rebutted. “We’re in this together, Evie. I’m not leaving you.”

She was making this so,sohard.

“It’s not you he wants,” I went on. “I can’t be responsible for anything happening to you. Your family needs you and I’m the one who got us into this mess.”

That part of my statement confused her, but it was true.

“If I hadn’t chased down the soldier. If I hadn’t—”

“You did what was right,” she cut in. “You went after that soldier because you have more heart than anyone else I know. You went after him because … you’re a born leader, Evie. And the good ones are strong and selfless. Just like you.”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d done my best to offer her an honest, no-strings-attached, guilt-free way out of this, but …

“Either we make a move together, or we don’t move at all,” was Beth’s final thought.

She took my hand and we made the decision to step out into the night as a team. Errol opened the front door of the church and our hearts were prepared to face the night. However, as I stared out, a set of huge, yellow eyes heading straight up the hill for us meant our plan had just changed.

Noneof us would be going anywhere.

Chapter Twenty

Liam

My hair and skin were soaked with blood, and the mutts were still coming at us fast and hard. Dallas, Elise, and half her boys had taken to the air, slaying Sebastian’s dragon recruits. Declan and Ethan stayed grounded to beat back the wave of mutts and soldiers. There were so many, and all I could think about was how each one stood between me and Evangeline.

She was somewhere out there—alive but not safe.

With the anarchy that erupted here in Ridge Borough, she had to have been terrified. I couldn’t imagine what this time in captivity had been like for her. It was of little comfort imagining how I’d make Sebastian pay for what he’d done.

But I did pray that I’d be the one to end him.

I was owed at least that.

Richie and both his brothers were keeping up with the number of lives Declan, Ethan, and I had reached. For every lifewetook, each of them had taken one as well. I’d foregone the use of a weapon and resorted to doing what felt natural—fighting with my bare hands. Even though my veins glowed red, I continued to suppress the flames. Burning the bastards to death was too good for them. Today these cowards would die the good old-fashioned way.

I killed for Evie. I killed for Ivan who still suffered. I killed for Elise who, like me, had lost everything once. I killed for Noah’s legacy to thrive like it was always meant to. I killed so our family could live in peace—something we never had a chance at before. When my limbs became fatigued, these were the thoughts that kept me going.