Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
“It was the first thing I did. They’re all free, and those strong enough and not too injured have already been flown back to their families.”
“And those who aren’t?”
“Some are convalescing in rooms around my estate. I have three doctors providing around-the-clock care. A few others are in the hospital in town. Some are still unconscious and are unidentified as yet.”
I swallowed hard, doing my best not to feel the sting of sorrow. Soon, that sting would be gone forever.
Ily.
Where is she?
Gagging on heartbreak, I couldn’t bring myself to picture or ask about Ily’s remains. The memory of her so lifeless and—
Shoving such agony away, I asked coldly, “Peter’s body? What did you do with it?”
“I don’t know which one was Peter.”
“His real name is…was…Paavak Chauhan.” I wasn’t prepared for the dagger to my chest. “H-He was the man lying beside Il—”
A tidal wave of despair cut me off.
I couldn’t.
Fuck, I couldn’t say her name again.
Just like when I’d finally learned what her name meant, this time I felt the loss of all the years we’d never have together.
“I wasn’t there to do the cleanup. However, the deceased have been sent to the morgue,” Q murmured. “I’m waiting until the slaves…eh, the jewels, are mentally strong enough to identify them. Once I have the names of the dead, I’ll contact their loved ones and ensure they’re reunited.”
Silence fell between us.
I almost offered to identify Peter myself. To go and hold Ily’s cold, dead hand where she lay all alone in a grave-shaped fridge.
But…I couldn’t.
I couldn’t see her like that.
And Peter? His body didn’t matter anymore.
His soul was out there. Most likely with Ily. And I wanted to join them more than anything.
Looking Q up and down, I hated that we were strangers who shared blood.
We’d both hurt each other. Helped each other.
But we’d reached a truce, and a surge of guilt made me ask, “Is your son okay?”
He smiled the same way Victor used to—sinister and sharklike, yet from him, it gave me comfort instead of chills. “He’s fine. I wanted to spare him the darker side of life for as long as I could, but…he’s a Mercer. He saw what we’re capable of.” Throwing a look at the empty doorway, he lowered his voice. “Don’t tell my wife that I told you but…he…well, he might have helped at the end.”
“Jesus Christ, don’t let him become like us, Q.” I balled my hands. “Fuck’s sake, no one should have to live with this disease.”
“He’s not like us.” He snapped straight. “He has a gentle heart. A kind heart. He doesn’t crave pain. But he’s brave enough to deliver pain if necessary.”
My energy levels flagged; I fought the undertow of sleep. “In that case, I’m glad he can stand up for himself. Maybe if I’d learned that, I wouldn’t have blocked everything out. I wouldn’t have blocked you out. I would’ve been…different.”
“I did wonder if you remembered me when you first appeared last year. You showed no signs of it, though.”
“Turns out the mind is pretty good at forgetting terrible things.”
“Ain’t that the fucking truth.” He smirked. A strained pause before he added, “Well, you’re home now. We’ll catch up when you’re stronger. After all, we have a lifetime to share.”
I smiled and nodded, letting him believe I’d still be here come morning.
“Thank you…for coming for them,” I said, my voice thick and hoarse. “I’m sorry I failed in getting them out, but I’m glad they’re safe. Those who survived at least.”
My ribs grew thorns and pierced my heart.
Ily…
Q sat heavily on the bed. “I’m just sorry I was so late. That you had no one.”
“I had someone.” I shrugged. “And it wasn’t your fault.”
He scoffed. “Whose fault was it? Who sent you there? Who forced you—”
“You didn’t force me. If anything, you gave me a purpose. A purpose I wasn’t strong enough to live up to, but it’s over now.” Pushing myself up, the room swam with familiar light-headedness. Wires that I hadn’t noticed fed into my veins, keeping me alive all while I refused to stay that way much longer.
I had the sudden urge to yank the needles out of me.
I was ready.
I’d done my part.
Victor was dead. His island was now known to Q. He’d go after the other Masters who weren’t there that day. He had the skills to crack into Victor’s database and go hunting for all those who deserved to die.
And me…I’m done.
“Look.” I sighed. “I appreciate everything, but…I would really like to rest now. Do you mind?”
His face turned cold and unreadable.
I frowned.
Now, what’s his problem?
“Go away.” I shooed him with a weak wrist. “You can ask your questions another day.”
“Another day, huh?”
The edge in his tone. The harsh suspicion.
I scowled and said nothing.
He glowered back, rummaging through my secrets the longer we stared.
The silence grew too heavy.