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The sound of creatures howling in the distance forced me to curl myself tighter into Fenrir’s side. Brann sat across from me and stared at me in the dark; even if I couldn’t see his gaze, I felt the weight of it.

Felt his focus on my torso, on the stab wound that leaked blood faster than I could prevent. The scent of it permeated my senses, lingering in the air around us. I knew that the creatures of Tartarus could smell me. They smelled the blood of a living being, the real kind of blood they couldn’t gain from those who were already dead.

I was prime prey.

Something growled, far closer than they had been before. Fenrir stood, nudging me with his snout. The female wolves lingered not far, their growls meeting those that came in the distance. I forced my eyes to close, sinking into that hollow within me where there was nopain. Allowing Fenrir to help me to my feet, I absorbed the complete and utter darkness surrounding me.

Night in Tartarus wasn’t just dark. It was the complete and total absence of all light. Without a fire to guide my way, I stumbled into Fenrir’s side and winced as a fresh flow of blood trickled down over my hand.

The creatures of the night were drawn to my blood, the scent reaching them across the distance. I would only bring harm to the others, but particularly to Brann who was next to defenseless here. I needed to leave him, but couldn’t bear to say goodbye again.

“Estrella,” Brann said, his voice coming from the void around me. He stumbled around in the darkness, searching for me and tripping over the stones lining our way.

I didn’t dare to move, holding perfectly still until his fingers brushed against mine. He threaded those fingers through my own, lacing our hands together so that I could feel his lack of a pulse against my hand. My own beat so quickly I could barely hear past it, the steady thrum of blood roaring through my veins.

“Don’t you dare say it,” I snapped, shaking my head side to side even though I knew he could not see it.

He squeezed my hand, lending me the strength I didn’t have. “You have to go. Fenrir can outrun them,” he said, and the biggest wolf curled his head around my shoulder, nuzzling into me to offer a silent confirmation.

“You can ride Lupa,” I said, gesturing to the other wolf. Brann was larger than me, but she was still big enough to carry his weight.

Lupa growled in response, telling me exactly what she thought of that suggestion.

“A wolf only has one rider,” Brann said sadly, and I felt his fingers brush against my cheek. They were wet with the blood he’d gotten from touching my hand, my scent all over him. “And I am not hers.”

“You could be,” I argued, even knowing it was useless. “She hasn’t chosen one yet.”

Even if I had no clue if the words were true, theyfeltit. Fenrir did not object.

“She cannot choose someone who is just a soul, Estrella,” Brann said, his bloodstained hand cupping my cheek.

I paused, the distinct burn of tears in my throat making it hard to find the words. Life was forcing me to choose, to separate frommy brother knowing it was the best choice for my mate, or to stick together and risk it all trying to protect Brann.

Him or Caldris.

Because if I died here, my mate would follow soon after.

It wasn’t a choice at all.

“I don’t want to lose you again,” I said, but the weakness in my voice was the first sign of my lack of options. I would give anything, sacrifice anyone, to save Caldris.

Even Brann.

“We must hurry,” Fenrir said into my head, his body snapping taut. He went alert, preparing for the attack we both knew approached.

“I have protected you in all your lives,” Brann said, his voice soft enough to make me wish I could see it. See him one last time. “Allow me to do it one last time.”

A strangled sob erupted from my throat as he released my hand, the slow glide of his fingers pulling through mine making my heart ache. It left a stain, an imprint on my soul that I would never release—the day I chose my love and my purpose over protecting my brother.

It wasn’t only Caldris who waited for me in Tar Mesa. It wasn’t only him who needed me to return and help them fight a war.

“Go back to your body. Go find a happy corner and live out your life in peace like you wanted,” I said, the words soft as he took a few steps backward.

“No,” Brann contradicted me, shaking his head. “I’ll meet you in the Cradle. If you are determined to do this, then you won’t do it alone.”

“He will not die here,” Fenrir said, the reminder sharp and meant to soothe me. Brann stepped away, the sound of his footsteps fading as he moved in the other direction. The steps came slowly at first, as if he hesitated to leave me, but eventually they increased in pace.

He ran, leaving me in the darkness behind him. He was a part of Tartarus, and he would rise once again when the phoenix flew overhead when she returned the flames to the land.