Drowning In The Dark - Pippa DaCosta Page 0,50

too real. We stayed like that, locked tightly in each other’s arms, listening to the sounds of Boston and the shared rhythm of our hearts. I knew it had to end. All things end. But I clung onto time and cherished every second I spent on the rooftop with Stefan. The netherworld was coming, and moments like that one would die forever.

A shockwave hit first. A blast of dry, superheated air slammed into us, followed by a deafening, explosive roar. Bathed in orange light, we turned toward the boiling fire-cloud several miles out, near the banks of the Mystic River. My element responded, leaping to life, like an eager pet. I winced, sensing the dark waking again, and Stefan placed a hand over my heart, easing his element through me, quenching the heat.

“It’s started,” he said quietly.

Coleman burst out onto the rooftop, rifle clutched in his hands, face white “Muse, we need you.”

Panic danced through my head. Stefan’s lips curled into a soft smile. He tucked my hair behind my ear. “It’ll be alright. I’ll stay close. I can keep it under control for a little while.”

Wobbly and uncertain, I let Stefan help me to my feet. He kept a hand on my arm, the contact just enough to keep his power alive in my veins.

“There are demons coming through all over the city,” Coleman explained as we followed him back inside. SRT’s base buzzed with organized chaos. “Adam Harper is missing. We’re listening in on Institute chatter. He never made it back after the skirmish in the street.”

Seeing my glare, Stefan frowned. “I was here with you.” He didn’t hide the predatory gleam in his eyes, though.

“Stone’s Throw is under attack, and we think the Institute’s scientific facility is next. Someone has told the demons where the Institute operates.”

Jenna? Val had admitted he’d gotten what he needed from her. Perhaps he went after Adam too.

Why was Coleman looking at me as though waiting for a miracle? “Muse…” He shook his head. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of. We need you out there on our side.”

My brother’s words haunted me …the world reduced to rubble beneath your feet. Coleman didn’t know I was part of the problem. I wanted to deny it, to tell him I couldn’t, but his despairing expression broke my heart.

Stefan gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Stay close to me, Muse, and you’ll be okay. We can do this.”

Could we? Or was this exactly what Valenti wanted?

The only way of making sure I didn’t go nuclear on this side of the veil was to get as far away from Boston as possible, or to go through the veil. Should I take the fight to them? I nodded at Stefan while my thoughts worked. A few moments in the netherworld would destroy what remained of my humanity. Damien would surge, my demon would win, and I’d be lost. I knew what she wanted. Destruction. It would be like pulling the pin on a grenade before tossing it into the netherworld. If destruction was all I was good for, I could damn well turn it on them.

The rebels quickly organized themselves into strike teams. Radios bleated, and guns rattled. Amid the raised voices, a slight slither of panic wove through the crowd. I tried to listen, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

Coleman handed me a cellphone. “Ryder.”

I plucked it from his hand and pressed it tightly against my ear. “How is she?”

Ryder’s rapid breaths sawed down the line. “Not good. I can’t leave her. She told Val everything.” He ground out a strained curse. “She followed a team back to the Institute’s facility. I’ll send you the GPS coordinates. Val knows all about the half bloods, Muse. He’s going after them. All of them.” That included Dawn. If my brother controlled them all, nothing would prevent him and the princes from destroying Boston. “Muse, you have to stop him.”

Me? Stop my brother? “I know. I will.” I didn’t believe my own words, but from Ryder’s sigh, he did. I glanced at Stefan. His winter eyes sparkled. His face was grim. “Hey, Ryder, there’s one thing Val doesn’t know,” I said. “Akil’s checked in at hotel Institute, and I’ll bet my human heart that he knows Val’s heading there. He won’t let Val take Dawn or any of the half bloods.” He’d previously stopped Val from doing exactly that. “Take care of Jenna.”

“Be careful, Muse.”

I almost laughed. “When have I ever been careful?”

He hesitated. “Okay, then don’t do anything I wouldn’t