Crowed (Team Zero #2) - Rina Kent Page 0,48

his head.

What is he planning?

Doesn’t matter. My plan is a lot easier and logical.

“Are you coming or not?” Xavier is wiggling that remote again.

Crow takes my hand in his bigger one and leads me to where Xavier is standing, stance wide, with a stupid grin on his face. But there’s a glassy look in the depth of his eyes, robotic, unhuman. I can’t help thinking that maybe all he’s doing is because of the drug he’s been taking for decades.

I would’ve felt bad for what my father had inflicted upon him if he weren’t so bent on hurting Crow and me.

Crow puts me on the cross Storm marked at the edge of the cliff. Pebbles escape from under my feet and fall to the dark water below. Wild waves hit the gigantic, fragmented rocks. Even if the bomb doesn’t kill me, the fall will.

My limbs start trembling again, and it takes everything in me not to break into tears.

“Don’t look down,” Crow murmurs, standing between me and Xavier. “Focus on me.”

I do, and the softness in his tame blue eyes soothes me. He considers me with a deep sense of longing as if he’s regretting nothing and everything all at once.

When I had wished for death the first time I met him, I never thought we would end up here. Or that he’d be fighting death with me.

“Je t’aime,” I whisper. If I don’t tell him this now, I doubt I’ll ever have a chance to.

His brows pinch together and his lips open to say something when Xavier cuts in. “Go to the tree, Crow and – ”

It all happens too fast.

Crow pushes me to the ground. The sting rips a wince from me. Then, the weight is lifted off my chest.

My eyes widen as I make out the vest held in Crow’s hand. Xavier lunges forward, but Crow blocks him, pushing himself and Xavier towards the edge.

“No. No!” I spring to shaky feet, sobbing.

“Stay down!” Crow shouts, struggling to keep Xavier under his clutch.

“No!” I run towards him, tears blurring my vision. “Don’t do this! Don’t!”

“My life never had a purpose anyway.” Crow smiles, holding a struggling Xavier at arm’s length. “It’s my honour to die for you, Eloise.”

“Noooo!” I shriek, but it’s too late.

Crow and Xavier fall off the cliff.

My heart sinks with them.

A black hole punctures my chest and robs my breaths. I drop to my knees close to the edge, ready to follow him when something hits my neck.

It’s as painful as a bee’s sting. A needle?

The world goes black.

Crow

Death.

What a strange sensation.

I knew I would die one day. During an operation. Because of Omega. Whatever it was, they were all dull and vain reasons. Nothing memorable to stay with me.

I never thought I would die for the one woman who showed me meaning in life.

What a glorious way to die.

I would do it a thousand times over to keep her safe.

Eloise’s sobs carry through the wind and slice through my chest. It’s so raw and guttural, it burns a hole in my heart. I told her that I don’t deserve her tears. But that stubborn woman never listens, does she?

Then, the sobbing stops, and I’m grateful, not for not being able to hear her voice anymore, but because I’m hoping she’s not seeing my fall into hell.

She’s witnessed enough death already. Now is her time to live.

As we free fall from the cliff, I hold Storm’s body close to mine, the vest squeezed between our chests. If he detonates the bomb, we’ll both go to pieces. It’s not fun to die hugging him, but it’s fair enough. Storm and I are cut from the same cloth. Two drugged demons in Hades’ hell. We killed enough for a lifetime.

Time to join the real hell.

Perhaps take over the whole fucking thing.

I close my eyes, but instead of demons, an angelic face forms behind my lids.

Eloise. She’s smiling at me with that warmth that melted my cold heart.

“Live, Eloise,” I murmur.

The world crashes down.

Eloise

I’m drowning.

Thick black water suffocates me. My nostrils clog and waves crash around me.

I don’t even thrash or gasp for air.

Why do I need to live, anyway? I’ll follow Papa and Maman. I’ll be somewhere safe where nothing can hurt me.

I won’t have to say goodbyes or see people I love die.

Something tugs on my ankle like it’s pulling me down. I remain suspended mid-water, floating, drifting.

It doesn’t matter. It’ll be over any minute now.

A voice calls for me. It’s rough and deep. A jolt