Two days later...

ASTER

I stepped through the door and almost immediately, the shadows crept in. By this time, I somehow knew how to keep them slow. I couldn't control them. I could only force myself to stay calm. Not so easy to do. I tried it yesterday, and it didn't work. This time, however, my pulse was steady and slow, thanks to Tiff's concoction.

I only needed to see him. To know he was still alive.

Sitting in the chair, I watched the fire, all too aware of the shadows that crawled toward me. There was nothing much I could do but wait. But for how long? How many more nights would I drink Tiff's concoction and enter this dream until it completely crumbled?

My eyes rolled down, and I sighed. The dark void just inches away from my feet, I stood.

How did he ever endure the waiting?

As I walked to the door to leave, it opened.

And there he was.

Alive.

Surprised.

Before he could speak, I pointed over my shoulder. "Take care of it first."

His eyes jumped behind me, and his jaw tightened. He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him before he stepped forward, hands raised. The shadows retreated, but not as easily as they did before.

"Having trouble?" I asked.

"Shut up," he growled under his breath. His body was tense as he fought to control the darkness. And just as they disappeared, leaving the room glowing in orange and yellow from the fire outside, he whirled toward me. His gaze was intense, confusion in their dark depths.

"Why do you seem surprised to find me here?"

He didn't say a word, but I could feel the strong desire to reach for me. I recognized it now. The pain he tried to hide, the longing he didn't want to show. It was never clear before, but knowing what I knew now, it all made sense.

"You didn't expect this." My voice was surprisingly soft, almost a whisper. "You knew the moment I stepped out of the border, I couldn't get back here. You knew I could never summon you from the other side, you lying bastard."

He stepped back because, suddenly, I was showing fury.

"You lied to me," I hissed.

"I did what I had to do so you could reach Brie."

"No," I said, digging a finger into his chest. "You did what you had to do so I can escape."

"That's the whole point of the plan—"

"And which part of the plan is you being trapped in Genesis? You never told me that one important detail while I was sleeping, did you? Because if you did, I would have killed you myself!"

He froze at my question. We stared into each other's eyes, holding our breaths.

I let my arm fall to my side. "I'm coming for you," I said, breaking the silence.

Fury and panic stormed his eyes. "You will do no such thing!"

"In case you're not aware, Evensen, this dream is coming to an end." The moment I said the words, the reality struck us both. This link between us, the centuries we had spent here, would soon wake up and disappear. I could summon him into another dream, but it would not be the same. It wouldn't be our dream.

"That's not the point," he said, blinking free from my gaze.

I ignored him. "I need to feed."

He blinked a few times. "What?"

"I said I need to feed. We're stepping out of the border soon."

"No, you're not. You're going to turn around and go to Old London and find your sister. Just as planned."

"You really think I'll leave you in Genesis? After you've sacrificed your freedom for me?"

"I did it for us."

"You surely go to great lengths for a onetime lover," I said with a scoff. When his eyes wavered, I shook my head. "But that's not really what we were, was it? You lying bastard."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "Why are you doing this? You shouldn't care what happens to me."

"I honestly don't know," I said. "In fact, I'm furious that I can't just turn around and leave with Alistair and Nalani. I should. There should be nothing here for me." I stopped, heaving with emotions most of which I couldn't even name. "But you're here."

"I can still get out. If you turn around, help the Ember find her Obscure and work with Brie and my family, you can destroy the Saints. Come on, Aster. You know this is stupid. Just turn around—"

"I can't!" I hissed, silencing him. My eyes glared at this creature I had always despised. The one who held centuries of memories of us and it felt unfair that he wouldn't share it with me.

He searched my eyes in silence, and I knew he couldn't find the answer there because even I didn't know it yet. "I just can't," I repeated the only one I knew. I blinked away and brushed my fingers through my hair. "So, please..." I whispered, letting the rest of my request falter.

He stared at me for a long time, face tight. And when he finally moved his hand and freed the top button of his shirt, I let out a quiet sigh of relief and stepped closer.

I gingerly placed my hands on his shoulders as he bent. My nose brushed his throat. His scent seemed familiar, yet begging to be explored more. As I punctured and my lips sealed on his skin, his arms pulled me closer. His fingers dug into my sides, and I froze when I felt his mouth on my hair. His hands squeezed, urging me to continue, and I did.

Once done, I ran the tip of my tongue over the wound and leaned back. We stared at each other, faces just a hairsbreadth apart. His utter control astounded me because his eyes clearly showed what he wanted. My gaze wandered down to his mouth and lingered at the scar in the corner.

I looked up and met his eyes, his lashes casting a shadow over his cheeks. "They'll hunt you the moment you step out of the border. There's no beating the halo. Trust me, I've tried everything."

"If you send someone to pick us up, we can get away far enough to safety. All we need are ferals who can keep us on the move during the halo's spell."

His lips pursed. "You're just being stubborn at this point."

"No, you are."

His hands tightened on my hips and I felt the urge to press closer. It took immense effort to let go and step back. He caught my arm as I stumbled on a step, then let go the moment I gained ground.

Losing his touch felt like losing a piece of me and I suddenly craved for more. It was the hungry vampire in me. Or it could be the old forgotten memories telling me why I should get to him.

"We need another plan," I said, clearing my throat.

When he closed his eyes and dropped his head, hands on his hips, I smiled because I knew I won. When he lifted his head, his eyes were intent. "You can't die."

I shrugged.

"Aster, I'm serious." He stepped closer. "If we're going to do this, I need to know you'll get into the nearest border and leave if things go south." When I pursed my lips, his hand cupped my face. I froze as he rested his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. Something clenched at my chest. For the first time, Harald Evensen showed me exactly how helpless he was. How tired and desperate. "I can't lose you."

It was all new to me. I didn't know how to deal with this show of raw emotion. Especially from him. So, I just nodded. "Send your men to the border," I whispered, pulling away from his hold. Forcing what I hoped was a comforting smile, I added, "Wait for me."

NALANI

I offered the Astral a comforting smile, but she only looked away. Her beautiful face reminded me of a painting I saw when I was a child: a gaunt man slumped over his guitar. She was barely hanging on and I worried she wouldn't make it.

"What's wrong?" Klyne asked beside me. "Are you afraid? Don't be. You know I'll always protect you. But I can only do that if you follow the rules."

I scoffed. He had too many rules, and I broke most of them.

My pace faltered when Mertha stumbled on her feet. Klyne ignored her and kept walking. He wouldn't hesitate to leave her behind. "You shouldn't have brought her with us if you refuse to help her at all."

"I brought her because she was the only one I can feed on from that train and the one too weak to complain about it." He frowned down at me. "What?"

"Are you going to kill her once we cross?"

He pursed his lips and I stopped walking, tears pooling my eyes.

"Bloody hell. What now?"

"Do it now," I said, voice cracking. "I won't be able to stop you from doing it, anyway, so do it now."

"This is not the time for this, Nalani."

"She's suffering!" I shouted, pointing at Mertha who had stopped. I wasn't even sure if she was hearing us because her concentration was on that rip in her realm, which I caused because I couldn't control my light. "If you're going to kill her, do it now."

Klyne looked at me incredulously. "Why do you always have to use tears?"

My lips trembled. "What do you mean? I can't control them."

"At this point, I really think you have total control over them," he said, rolling his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he hissed, "Fine."

I held my breath as he walked toward Mertha, a sob escaping my throat. Then I blinked in surprise when he bent down and effortlessly hauled the woman over his shoulder. Mertha moaned in protest, but she could barely talk, more so escape his hold.

He faced me, brows arched. "Happy?"

I slowly nodded.

"Now, stop crying, for Pete's sake."

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, now sobbing in relief. He was already walking ahead, and I ran to catch up. "We'll take her with us, right? Or at least we'll leave her somewhere. You said you have friends on the other side."

"I'm not sure yet."

"On taking her or leaving her or having friends?"

"All of the above."

I opened my mouth, but stopped when I saw the look on his face. "Okay," murmured, more to myself. I'd need to think of another way to preserve the Astral's life until she recovered. There was no telling what could happen if she died, especially with a fracture in her realm. I didn't want to be the messenger of imprisoned souls from hell, after all.

Our journey shortened with Klyne carrying Mertha on his shoulder. I didn't tire easily, nor did he. We didn't find the need to stop until we saw the edge of the forest.

"We're almost there," I announced, steps faltering, heart hammering against my chest with excitement.

Klyne placed Mertha back on the ground and held her steady. Her face registered fear and alarm as she looked beyond the trees. She stumbled back, mumbling, "N-No."

Klyne pulled her back, pushing her forward. I caught her, throwing Klyne a look. "It's okay," I gently told her.

"Don't touch me," Mertha gritted out, weakly pulling her arm away from my grip.

"You have to come with us," I told her. "You won't survive the border if you go back."

She pushed me away. "I don't want to go with you."

I sighed. "We're the only people you can trust now. You know that, right?"

Her eyes lit with fury. "You brought me back to the very place I escaped from and you want me to trust you?" Her gaze jumped to Klyne. "I'd rather die."

"But you won't," I said. "Because you know what happens if you do. The creatures in your realm will escape, and God only knows the havoc they can bring. That's why you've endured this long."

"I'll take you back to the Fog the moment I can," she said, her words sending a chill up my spine.

I reconsidered my desire to keep her alive. But this woman was good. I couldn't judge her for her beliefs simply because it didn't mirror mine. Like me, she had her own story. And that story molded her values.

Before Klyne could step in and use brute force or harsh words, I smiled at Mertha and said, "Then I challenge you to fix your realm so I can pay it another visit." She froze at the reminder of what I could do. When she remained silent, my lips stretched into a bigger grin. "I really hope someday we can see eye to eye, Mertha Krall. For now, I'm willing to settle with sass and threats."

"You'll wish you never crossed the border." Her voice eerily echoed around us, fading as the wind burst through the trees.

"I know I'll be free," I told her.

"An Omen's fate is the same wherever they go. You'll always be hunted."

I ignored her words because the only life I knew was running and being chased. And if I were to be hunted in this new world, it wouldn't be new. It was my fate to be hunted so I could run toward him.

I walked ahead while Klyne waited until Mertha finally moved and followed.

Heart slamming in my chest, I let out a shaky breath. I relished every step, each one taking me closer to my destination. All my life, I had been looking forward to this. My family prepared me for this. They died so I could get here.

A tear rolled down my face. "I'm on my way," I whispered, knowing in my heart he could feel me getting closer. "Wherever you are, I'm on my way."

HADE

I woke to stillness and pain, the former rare, the latter familiar.

I frowned at the intricate ceiling of my bedchamber and cursed as my right calf tightened.

Pushing myself off the bed, I held out my hand to stop the guard. "I'm fine. Leave." He hesitated, but one look and he stiffly left, closing the door softly.

I hissed another curse, pushing myself off the bed, paused to regain control of my legs. Or at least the good one. With a silent wince, I limped to the table. "Fuck!" The pain shot through me like lightning down an already furious sea.

My fall to the chair was not intentional. I shakily reached for the metal syringe, huffing through the pain. Turning the dial on top, I stabbed the needle into the side of my thigh and impatiently waited, jaw twitching as my veins glowed white. The pain subsided, masked by the most expensive elixir known to mankind.

Throwing the empty syringe to the side, I jumped to my feet, testing my legs by walking to the open arched window where I stood for a while, taking in the momentary peace.

I looked beyond the quiet lake to the sea and the horizon, thinking about the dream.

It wasn't new to me. I've always had it ever since I could remember. Every time, it was the same. In the dream, my eyes were closed. I could see nothing. But I was forced to listen to the voice. To this day, I didn't know who it belonged to. But she was always there, talking nonstop. Every night, she'd tell a different story, and sometimes it wasn't even a story. Just random ramblings. Often, she couldn't even finish a bloody sentence before she'd jump to another completely different subject.

Her words were never directed at me because I didn't think she knew I was there. I was just an unwilling presence forced to listen. But tonight was different. Tonight, she talked to me.

I'm on my way...

Wherever you are, I'm on my way...

I scoffed. She could have said that to someone else.

But I felt it. I knew she was talking to me.

"Bad dream?" the voice asked from behind.

I turned and sighed. As Fane Vossler crossed the room with papers in hand, I knew another long day had just began. Walking to my chair, I watched him place two new syringes on the table. They could feed hundreds of children. Bloody hell, they could feed an entire village.

"What are those?" I asked, looking at the papers.

"Reports," he said. "Nothing I can't deal with. The monks are requesting a meeting."

I stared at him wryly. "Why?"

Vossler hesitated. "Maybe they're just too desperate, Sir, and now they... I don't know. Maybe they finally lost it. Gone mad is all I'm saying."

"Spill it out, Vossler."

"It has been years... Decades. I honestly think they made a mistake. They've done this before, you know. Too many times, in fact."

"Vossler," I said, voice filled with warning.

He swallowed, bobbed his head a few times with a grimace. "They believe they've detected an Ember, Sir."

I stiffened and absently squeezed my leg. A habit too hard to hide.

"Not a clone. A real one," Vossler added. "But as I've said, they could be mistaken—again. They always do this—"

"Where?"

Vossler sighed. "This is the part why I think they've lost it."

"Where, Vossler?"

"Down south, outside a Saint border." As I sat in stunned silence, Vossler moistened his lips. "There are no Embers inside that bloody place. There couldn't be." When I remained silent, Vossler shifted his weight. "But assuming the monks are right—which I highly doubt—we can finally put an end to this war, Sir." He waited, and at my long silence, he added, "But that's just wishful thinking. We're still very much at war. The northern border's being attacked as we speak and we have to evacuate another village."

"Tell me we have men on the way to the south."

He stared at me for a while before he eventually nodded. "Of course, Sir, we do."

I jumped to my feet, finally fully awake. "Get the monks here. And bring Aeron to me."

"Your brother is on his way up north—"

"He can't go up north. Send for him now."

"You know he doesn't like it when—"

"Tell him to get his bloody Obscure arse back here," I sternly said, my authority ringing in the air.

Vossler nodded. "Right away, Your Majesty."

My valet entered after Vossler left. As he helped me dress, I looked out the window again, the voice in my dream echoing in my head.

Wherever you are, I'm on my way...