can’t deny the fact that, through all his faults, I’ve fallen so hard for him. And nothing is going to change that.
He should’ve had more faith in my rage and told me about Peter sooner so I could do what the spell calls for and end him, but at the same time I can’t blame him for viewing me as he did.
Can’t blame anyone.
I really was a stupid child playing at being a woman, ignoring every red flag just to get my way and be close to the boy everyone told me to steer clear of.
In that aspect, I have no one to blame but myself.
That incessant itch in the back of my throat suddenly flares to life anew, veins burning hot, stomach beginning its contorting act of protest. I’m not surprised. I’ve been holed up in Callan’s room since this morning and haven’t left the safety of its darkened confines for a single thing.
I couldn’t even if I’d wanted to. Portions of the castle may be shadowed, but the vast majority allows for streams of daylight to pour through, and without that daylight spell, I can’t be caught in the rays.
Nothing is stopping me now, though. The sun set over an hour ago, and while Hook said he’d be back for me, it feels silly to wait. I know my way around here, well, mostly anyway. Know the people who roam these halls. I may still be on edge, probably will be until I ensure Peter takes his last breath, but they’re not in any danger.
I don’t want to hurt them.
I only want to hurt him.
Hopping off the bed, I scamper to the door and flash out into the hallway. Considering it’s still quite early, I expect to see someone treading its long distance, but there’s no one. It’s eerily silent, so much that my steps, while quiet and precise, still resound off the carpet beneath my weight.
That’s when I hear it; his voice. Not quite booming, yet my hearing picks up on it anyway.
“You’re free to go,” Callan states evenly.
A small gasp, then the befuddled sound of Tigerlily’s voice. “What?”
The library.
I evanesce down the corridor to its entryway, stopping just before the threshold, and peek around it carefully.
“You can go, whenever.”
Her pretty, slanted brown eyes burst, yet her brows furrow in the same puzzled fashion as her tone. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
“Well, for one, I trust you to uphold your end of the deal, the one you spoke of. Let me be clear, though. If Tavi fails to fall in line, he’ll have to deal with the consequences personally. I won’t allow you to step in for him again.”
Tigerlily nods in understanding, prompting Hook to continue.
“And secondly, I’m leaving. Wouldn’t be fair for me to keep you here.”
“Leaving? Where?”
I’m as shocked as she sounds. This is news to me, too, skyrocketing my heart into a wild gallop.
He’s leaving? Why?
“I’m not going alone,” he explains. “Tinksley will be going with me.”
“I am?” I blurt, shuffling into the room. Don’t care that I’ve outed myself as an eavesdropper.
Callan peers over his shoulder at the sound of my voice just as Tigerlily peeks around his tall frame.
“You are. Well, as long as you want to.” He nods, eyes steadily tracking each one of my steps. Probably gauging my demeanor for any signs of the beast leaking through. “I won’t force you to—”
“Where?” I’m obviously curious, yes, but I’m also genuinely taken aback. It was a surprise enough to hear that he was leaving. But to hear that we both are?
“Through the portal,” he clarifies, just as I sidle up beside them.
What the hell? “To the human realm?”
Another nod.
Stare fixated on his gorgeously chiseled face, I lift a questioning brow “For what?”
“Revenge.” He smirks at the astounded expression that settles across my face.
“Seriously?”
“Very. I know it’s what I wanted for you, but I also know you need this. It’s the only way you’ll expel the rage consuming you whole. The only way you’ll find a semblance of peace. Draegan suggested the same after I spoke with him this morning.”
I’m hearing the words coming out of his mouth, and they make complete sense, as I came to terms with this same fact just a few hours ago, yet all I can think to myself is: How? How does he know this is what I want?
What I need?
A part of me isn’t surprised, really. It’s laughable given I should know he’s always so in tune, never once missing a beat, always a