from me to Dean.
“Brother,” Dean rasps, voice hoarse. He blinks as if to clear his head. “Brother, stop this. Fight it. I know you can.”
But Declan’s lip pulls back in a low snarl as he stalks towards his prey. I move towards Dean and drop to my knees beside him.
“Celeste, move away,” Dean says, struggling against his chains. But it’s no use. They don’t budge.
“I’m not leaving you,” I tell him, but fear laces my voice with the thought of how this will end.
“This is what those wankers want,” he says, the words clipped as Declan stalks closer.
“Is it a test?”
“It’s a game,” he spits out. “A stupid, twisted game.”
“I don’t understand.” What does this serve? Even if they aren’t trying to help my sister—who does this help? It’s cruelty for cruelty’s sake.
Dean tears his gaze from his brother’s and looks at me. “Declan is going to hurt me. I need you to look away, and don’t try to intervene.”
“Dean, I—”
“I can’t watch you be hurt,” he says, yanking at the chains for good measure. “Please. He won’t kill me. He—he’s done it before.”
I blink, struck silent as I realize this is part of their torture. To be forced into a beast that’s willing to hurt the other.
“Celeste, back up,” Dean says again, his voice harder now.
“I can—”
Declan closes the distance, his teeth latching onto Dean’s calf and sinking in. Dean yells in pain and Declan only squeezes harder.
I scream and grab for them both, my magic surging until the silvery glow becomes a flashing light. Sparks hit the ceiling and walls, falling down on us like electric raindrops.
Declan releases Dean’s leg and backs away, whimpering.
Dean groans, his head tilted back, his skin singed where the droplets touched him.
The lights flicker, surging then winking out.
I peer into the sudden darkness, searching for Declan.
“Declan,” I call uncertainly. “Are you...you?”
But there’s no answer.
I whip towards the sound of a door opening, but the blackness surrounding me remains unchanged. I hear grunts and a clinking of chains. Dean’s voice is harsh and angry, but it’s too far away to make out the words. There’s a final growl, and then a slammed door, and nothing.
I am alone in the silent darkness.
I try to conjure more silvery light, if only to illuminate the space around me, but it doesn’t come.
Maybe it never will.
Maybe I’ve used it all up.
Maybe I’ve lost my one chance at saving us all.
Another door opens. I strain to listen for some sign that I’m not alone.
The door shuts.
The lights come on. Or the illusion ends. Either way, I can see again.
A quick blink is all it takes to realize I am no longer alone.
The guys are both gone.
In their place, unchained and absolutely feral, is a wolf.
I recognize it instantly. It’s the same wolf that tried to attack me by throwing itself at its cell bars, unconcerned with the pain of the metal against its frail bones. All it cared about then was sinking its teeth into me. And one look at the unfocused eyes and bared canines and I know nothing has changed.
This wolf is unreachable and it’s hell bent on killing me.
There’s no silver magic left in my veins. Either that or it’s decided not to assist me against the wolf I now face. Not a single spirit appears to offer help in my eleventh hour. I’m on my own. Weaponless. At the mercy of a beast.
I take a slow step back. “Easy now.”
And I’m rewarded with a low snarl.
The wolf takes a step forward.
My shoulder blades hit the wall behind me.
I’m trapped.
“Is this because Declan wouldn’t kill me?” I call to whoever’s listening.
The wolf doesn’t answer, but I am certain there are others watching this unfold. Schmidt. The man with the scars. Cutter.
“I can’t summon my magic,” I say when the wolf takes another step.
It’s not in a hurry. It knows I’m cornered prey.
I bite my lip as a single tear slips down my cheek. I refuse to beg for their mercy. When the wolf leaps at me, I am ready. I know I’ve done all I can. And I would die again if it means saving the ones I love. I just hope Declan and Dean get out. And that they’ll help Estelle get out too.
With eyes closed, I grit my teeth and brace myself for the attack that I know is coming.
But instead of claws and teeth raking down my body, I am swept up into the firm grip of cold arms. Fingers tighten against my