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During her time in the past, Alex hadn’t learned much about the Meyarins’ beliefs in what came after death, since unless they were killed, they would never die. And since it was so rare for a Meyarin to be killed, death was an uncommon topic—indeed, it was almost considered taboo to talk about it. So to hear such words from Niyx… Alex ached for him. Aven’s actions, while already abhorrent on a foundational level, were now even more abominable.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered. “Why did you keep this from me?”

“Because I didn’t want you to fear what is ahead more than you already do,” Niyx whispered back. “Who he is now, Aeylia… He’s so strong. He’s so fast. He’s so powerful. Even without the addition of his army by his side.”

“I needed to know, Niyx,” Alex said, still quietly. “You shouldn’t have carried this burden yourself.”

He looked at her with sad eyes. “You already carry enough, kitten. I was trying—” He swallowed thickly. “I was trying to protect you. Inasmuch as I could.”

A long silence descended upon them. But then Alex spoke, knowing he wouldn’t like what she was going to say, but having to say it anyway.

“I can’t kill him, Niyx.”

A muscle clenched in his jaw and he looked away from her.

She didn’t allow him to retreat; she purposefully closed the distance he’d put between them and reached up to turn his head back to her, ignoring his blazing eyes.

“I won’t kill him,” she repeated, her hand at his chin keeping him facing her, “but I swear to you, Niyx—IswearI will do whatever it takes to defeat him. He will remain alive, but he won’t have a free life.”

“You can’t contain someone like Aven in a prison,” Niyx said. “Not evenTaevargwould hold him indefinitely.”

“I realise that,” Alex returned quietly. “Especially if he’s absorbing the strength of other Meyarins, like you said.” The idea was so reprehensible that she still couldn’t get her head around the zombie parallels, around the choices Aven had made over the years that led to who he now was—towhathe now was. “But there must be a way. And I give you my word that I will find it.”

Locking him in her gaze and hoping he could see how determined she was to prove her words true, Alex waited with baited breath for his response.

Finally, the tension drained from his body and he leaned forward, drawing her into his arms in a tight, desperate hug.

“You’re going to be the death of me, kitten,” he muttered.

“You’ve said that to me before,” Alex said as she pulled away from him, attempting to lighten the moment. “Turns out you’re a survivor.”

“One of these days, my luck just might run out. Or yours, more likely. It’s not enough for you to snuff it in peace—you won’t be happy unless you take me with you.”

Alex frowned at him. “Okay, Mister Morbid. Feel free to stop joking about this now.”

He sent her an arched look. “Who’s joking?”

She punched him in the arm. “Now you need to stop joking about joking.”

His lips twitched, and as they did, Alex felt the strain leave her own shoulders. His earlier fury had shocked and alarmed her. His declaration that he’d remained imprisoned for her had slashed her heart with guilt. And his anguish over Aven had torn her apart. She hated what Niyx was doing—she absolutelyhatedthat he had to act loyal to Aven and witness the horrors occurring at the hands of his former best friend.

“I need you to tell me if there’s anything else you’ve been keeping from me,” Alex said quietly. “Even if you think it’s for my own good.”

Niyx loosed a reluctant exhale and moved to sit down again. “I can’t tell you much, but that’s because I don’t know much. Aven’s keeping everything close to his chest.”

Alex sat beside him, casting a quick glance at the puppy who was still sleeping soundly, oblivious to the yelling match they’d just had. “Go on.”

“I know he’s planning something,” Niyx said. “And I know it’s… big. Whatever it is, it’s not going to be in our favour. And I know he’s… pleased.”

“Pleased?”

“With how everything is working out,” Niyx answered, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. “Him ruling Meya. His plans moving forward. Whatever it is he intends on doing. All of that is making him… happy.”

Alex rubbed her arms, chilled.

“Aeylia,” Niyx said, turning to capture her eyes, “I know I told you to leave the Shadow Walkers to their fate, but I was wrong. You need to get them and the Dayriders on board. They have enough sway with the Flips and Jarnocks to rally them to our side. Everything is riding on this.”

Alex lowered her eyes and admitted the truth—to both of them. “Even if Shirez convinces the elders to give me another go, you said it yourself, Niyx. It’s impossible for me to win.”