“I'm not.”
“If you go out there, you'll die!” I roar, spinning on my heels and charging back towards her. “You'll get yourself killed or get me killed trying to protect you.” Lena’s hurt rushes down the bond and my shoulders slump, all my rage seeping out of me in a blink. Lifting my hands, I cradle her face tenderly between my palms, emotion clogging my throat. “I can't lose you.”
She softens against me, her gaze roaming my face. “Darius,” she pleads.
I press my lips against hers in a soft tender kiss, filled with the words I’m unable to say, before I pull back. “You'll stay here where I know you’re safe.”
“Darius, I…” She wraps her hands around my wrists and offers an apologetic smile. “I can't stay here.” Her features harden. “I won't.”
She means it. I see it in her eyes. Despite my fears, despite the truth that she won't survive, she won’t stay here. She'll either follow right behind me or she'll just wait until I'm gone. Even if I lock the door, she'll find some way to sneak out and join the fray. She’s too stubborn to know her limits. If I wasn't Captain, I'd stay here and personally ensure her safety. But I can't. An idea pops into my mind, bile rising with the thought. But I swallow it back.
Slipping my trembling hands into her hair at the base of her skull, I squeeze my eyes shut, savoring the feel of her arms wrapping around my waist, the feel of her body softening against mine as I press a firm kiss to her forehead, praying to the gods this won't be the last time I'm able to do so. With my body crying out for hers, I release her and step back, slicing an orange, glittering palm through the air.
Branches and vines spear through the floors, cracking and splintering wood as they coil around her wrist and ankles. Lena's eyes round in horror as the nature-made shackles whip her arms above her head and root to the ceiling, her feet widening as the vines and branches plant her to the floor.
She struggles against her binds, panicked eyes darting from her arms to her wrists, down to her legs and ankles. “Darius wh…wh…wh…” she stutters. “What are you doing?”
“Keeping you alive.” I turn my back on her and walk towards the door.
“Darius, wait!”
I keep walking.
“Wait… Just wait!”
I open the door.
“Waaait!”
Hand placed on the iron handle, I grit my teeth and turn my head to the side.
“Don't do this,” she pleads. Her gaze is desperate, beseeching; torment lines her face as her raw anguish slams into me. “I can't be…” she whimpers, tears trickling down her cheeks. “I can't be chained. Not again. Please.”
“I'm sorry, love,” I choke out and walk out the door. Lifting a shimmering hand, slate shoots through the floor, clunking together as it molds to the door and seals it in stone.
“DAAARRRRIIIIUUUUS!”
Another wave of agony slices down the bond into me, robbing me of breath as the sound of her screams and broken sobs carve into my soul, but I wasn’t lying. I can't lose her. I won’t survive it. So I ignore her and continue walking down the hall. Even if it means she'll forever hate me for it.
As long as she lives.
“Lottie!” I shout as I descend the staircase. Just as I step off the last step into the main room, a bedraggled Lottie walks through the kitchen’s swinging doors.
“Captain?” She rubs her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Seboia’s under attack.”
“Uriella’s light!” she gasps, cupping her mouth.
“Lock the door behind me,” I say, moving towards the door. “And make sure Lena doesn't leave.”
“The human?” I hear the sneer in her voice when she adds, “Good riddance.”
Grinding my teeth, I spin on my heels and lunge towards her. She squeaks as I snatch her up by the throat, lifting her off her feet and dragging her towards me.
“If Lena so much as steps one foot out of her room,” I hiss, “I'll kill you. I'll kill your sister. I'll kill that half human nephew you think no one knows about. I'll kill every single person you know and love. Every person you've ever spoken with, and I’ll make you watch. Then, I'll burn this inn down with you inside it.”
“Please,” she begs between sobs, dangling within my grip.
“Lena doesn't leave her room.”
She nods her head and I release her and race out the door, not sparing a backward glance as she falls to the floor.
The night is quiet and peaceful. All the shops are closed and darkened for the night. Their owners are tucked safely within their beds. One could almost assume it's another ordinary night. But I can feel the underlying darkness. Can feel Desdemona's filth invading my lands.
I shut the inn’s door just as a shirtless Zander and a rumpled Kace rush out of the brothel, the madame and staff shutting all the doors and windows as they meet me in the middle of the street.
“Where is she?” Zander demands.
“Inside!” I shout, not missing a step as I barrel down the street. “Keep her there.”
He doesn't reply as he rushes past, climbing the porch steps and darting into the inn.
“What's going on?” Kace asks, running up beside me, straightening his vest. “Zander said we’re being attacked.”
“The Soulless are here.”
Frowning, Kace glances over his shoulder, seeing the quiet streets that surround us. “Are you su-”
