Her expression is one of confusion. “You love my power.”
“No.” He laughs bitterly. “If I could I would banish The Darkness to other realms. Back to the underworld where it came from.”
There’s an identical look of surprise on Morgan and the Queen’s face when the commander steps to Anand and touches her cheek. Something flickers in her eyes and for once it’s not anger.
Slowly, I move to the platform and my brothers do the same.
It’s time to take Morgan home.
37
Morgan
We’re close. So close, but I know my job isn’t done. Casteel may have asked me to spare her life but I owe a debt to Nevis and her people. Not only did she save and support me, but the underground dwellers came up and fought with my men. They built an army. And it’s time they shared a spot in this kingdom.
There is only one way to do this. And I look down at Anita’s dead body thinking of how this started. One vessel to another. Sharing. Spreading. Sacrificing.
I sense Dylan behind me. Damien is close. Sam and Clinton right behind. I don’t just feel them—they boost me—fill me. I want nothing more than to get home and spend time with each one of them. Alone. Together. A whole life filled with peace and love. A family. Babies.
But that will never happen if I leave things as they are. And the choice I must make is a long shot. The Shaman knew it when he gave me passage. The odds of me coming home alone are slim.
I snatch a moment and turn to face my mates. There’s no time for words but I connect with each, staring into their eyes. Blue, green, gray, and purple. As usual I’m missing one but I have no doubt he’s working to get us out of here.
“Whatever you’re thinking—don’t,” Dylan says. I smile and walk away. There’s a skirmish behind me and it only takes a glance to see my guardians restrained by the men they brought with them. The Ravens fight back, but these men…they’re strong and they were sent here for a purpose. Emotion isn’t part of their job.
“Love you, girl,” Hildi says, pushing through the commotion. There’s no doubt she gave the order to this group of soldiers. She may be just the kind of woman they need to tell them what to do.
“You, too.”
I walk across the platform to Casteel and the Morrigan. They’re lost in their own world. I extract my sword and press it into Casteel’s spine. He looks down in confusion.
“You asked me to fix this so I am.”
I expect him to fight but to my surprise, he doesn’t. Everyone knows, including the Queen. I stand face-to-face and say, “Thank you for revealing my true powers. I couldn’t have done it without coming here, having my feet on this land and being in your presence.”
“You’re not stronger than me.”
I glance at my Guardians, my friends and the people filling the ground, some of their faces feeling the moonlight for the first time in ages.
“Oh but I am. I am so. Much. Stronger.”
I push up on my toes, because my sister is taller than me. I don’t know what she expects but it’s not this—not a kiss, and when our mouths touch it’s like a bomb goes off. Good versus evil. Light against dark. Two queens battling for control.
The difference is, she’s alone. Her soldiers are dead. Her commander had dropped his weapon. And the light comes shining through. I feel the relenting on her lips. In the taste of her tongue. The Darkness is foul and it fills me, angry and bitter. We’re nothing but vessels and this one is up for sacrifice. Pain fills my limbs, my fingertips and toes. Poison attacks my organs, stabbing away at the muscle of my heart.
There’s one final moment, right after the Darkness consumes me, when I’m filled with centuries of hate and pain and destruction, that I see the true face of Anand. Her eyes are bright—and green. Her cheeks are rosy. Her hand slips into Casteel’s and she kisses me on the forehead.
“Thank you, Morgan,” she says, realizing what I have done.
I’ve freed her and the people of the Otherside. I fall forward but I’m caught by many hands. As they lay me on the ground I look to the sky and see one last thing.
The sun.
38
Bunny
I hear the pounding of footsteps as I blow on the painting. The magic is weaker when wet, but there’s no choice. Casteel wants the gate closed but we’ve got to be on the other side before that can happen.