The world falls away when I see Arabella running toward us.
My eyes swiftly sweep over her, checking for any damage. Relief settles into my bones as I see no visible signs of injury. “Ari!”
“I found you,” she blurts, choking on a sob as she falls into my open arms. “Oh, Cali. It was awful.”
Tears slide down my cheeks as I hold her so tight I wonder if she can breathe. “Where are the elders?”
“Dephina’s in the caverns. I escaped,” she whispers, wiping her tears with the back of her hand as she withdraws. “Where did you get this?” She asks, admiring the lacy dress Death created for me.
My gaze flicks up to Azkiel, who is observing us intently.
“That’s not important.” I pull her at arm’s length, my hands planted on her shoulders. “What happened?”
Her eyes trickle to Death, her bottom lip wobbling slightly. After a few seconds, the quiver in her lip steadies. “Dephina took me to the caves.”
“Who else was there?”
“Just us,” she says, although I am not convinced, and Death doesn’t seem swayed either.
“She said the gods want to sacrifice me.” She glares into my soul. “That if I die, they will bring me back to life.”
A knot tightens in my stomach. “I will not let that happen.”
Azkiel steps up behind us. “Essentria can’t revive you, not after a sacrifice,” he tells her. “You know that, don’t you, Arabella?”
She nods but cannot hide the anger quivering her bottom lip when she looks at Death. “Yes.”
“Where’s Thorn?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” she says, and the hope that he followed her fades away.
I shake my head. “I’m sure he’s settled in a tree somewhere. His visits are always brief.”
She shoots me a look and swallows thickly. Then her gaze drifts past me, focused on something behind me. Or someone, I notice when I hear a soft sigh. I turn my head, finding Drake standing outside of the temple’s entrance.
How long has he been there?
Ari runs to him, and Drake pulls her into his embrace. She gasps for her breath as he squeezes her tight, his muscles rippling as his arms hold her in place. “You fucking scared us,” he says, but draws back, sweeping the same assessing stare over her that I had. “You must be thirsty. There’s rainwater inside.”
Her hand lands on her lower stomach, palming her navel. “I’m hungry more than thirsty.”
“I have some food I foraged yesterday,” Drake replies, then guides her into the temple.
I trail a finger over my throat, then thumb the side of my neck when Death catches my eye.
“Do you believe her?” he asks once they’ve disappeared into the temple. “Why shouldn’t I?” I question, because I don’t want to cement his beliefs.
“Let’s get inside,” he says.
My mouth is dry, and the urge to glide my fingers over my lips is extreme. Instinctively, I step closer, and into his aura, then bite my lip.
I don’t look at Azkiel as we make our way through the crumbling building, reaching steps taking us to the intact lower rooms, underground, but I can feel his stare boring into me.
This is ridiculous. It’s as if my mind has turned to putty. I was meant to be the one seducing him, using him, so he’d free Drake and Ari. But as we walk, and I glance sideways at his lips, my breath hitching at the intensity carving his chiseled features. My heart races and I find myself looking for an excuse to touch him again. Because he knows how it feels—to be alone, an outcast, and even now when he glances at me, a silent exchange flows between us.
Do I like him?
“Cali.” Drake’s voice slices through my thoughts.
I blink twice, noticing we have reached the bottom of the steps. “Do you want to sort through it all?”
I nod quickly, checking through the pile of berries Drake collected yesterday, from outside the temple. I scowl at the berries, sorting them into three piles: delicious and edible, just edible, and poisonous.
Ari whistles from the corner of the room, and when our eyes lock, there’s something telling in them, yet I cannot make out what she is trying to say with her stare.
Azkiel comes up beside me, the Skhola on his index finger sliding down a nudge as he touches the poisonous berries, turning them into ash. I gasp slightly as his arm brushes against mine, and he leans over, his breath soft against the top of my ear. “In case anyone accidentally mistakes them for food.”
I gaze at Ari as she slices foraged mushrooms with a dagger once used for animal sacrifice. Dark circles encircle her eyes, her face blanched. “Ari. Come here.”
She walks over to me, and I take her hands in my mind. “What’s wrong?”
“We’re getting out of here.”
I force a reassuring smile and nod. Drake regards me through bloodshot eyes from across the room. “Thank gods,” he says with a sigh of relief.
“When?” she asks, impatience teetering on the edge of her tone.
“Tonight, but first,” I say, sensing her waning magic, “let me heal you.”
