Page 171 of Change

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Damen

Hell

I almost lost my balance as a chill shot down my spine at the gaping emptiness that suddenly twisted through my chest. As it were, I was barely able to catch myself, leaning heavily on Bryce—who stood beside me as we stood on the roof of Titus’s building, waiting for Maria’s arrival.

“Damen?” Bryce touched my arm, normally monotone voice heavy with concern. “What’s—”

“She’s dead.” Miles was clutching his shirt—having fallen to the ground the same time I stumbled—and was now sitting crossed legged on the floor. He wrapped his arms around himself, shivering.

Julian, who’d been standing near the window, had also fallen back, leaning against the roof entryway as he covered his eyes with his hands.

So, him too.

“Can you feel it?” Miles asked me. His lost eyes sought out mine, and the rising panic in my throat threatened to consume my thoughts.

I could feel it.

My skin itched and burned, and there was the pressure of an overwhelming loneliness and fear that nothing would ever be okay again. I’d been wrong with Bailey, that horrible feeling held nothing in comparison.Thiswas what it was like to have our bond break.

It felt like the world was ending—like nothing would ever make it right again.

“Dead?” Brayden stopped pacing as he kept an eye open for another message from Maria—as the lioness had only reconnected not long ago, saying that she would meet us here. He looked to the witch, an expression of utmost horror etched into his features. “Can she… but…” He didn’t seem to know what to say.

Bryce let go of my arm, grabbing my shoulder instead. He spun me to look at him. I was still too shocked to resist, and his olive eyes flashed as he searched my face.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from his as the bile in my throat rose at the sight.

I never even realized how much they resembled each other.

“Damen.” His words were rushed and filled with fear and worry. “Is it true?”

“It’s fine,” I lied, finally regaining my footing and pushing past the fae. “It’ll be fine…”

I felt sick as adrenaline coursed through me. What was I supposed to do at this point? I’d only just gotten used to having her around, had begun to depend on her, and now she was gone.

How could I pick up from this and help the others? They were looking to me for guidance—especially right now—but how could I go on?

“It’s fine,” I repeated, mostly to reassure myself. I couldn’t focus on much else. The others were watching me. I had to keep it together.

I had to take control.

I whistled, and Kasai swooped down from the sky, landing on the ledge of the roof. “My lord.” He bowed.

And it was nice of him to be so prompt and helpful, but—

“I didn’t summon you.” I felt my frown deepen and my stomach turned uneasily. Why wasn’t this working? Again. “Where’s Kiania?”

“She is indisposed,” Kasai said without pause. “She’s been injured in battle.”

“Battle?” What in the world was going on out there? And more importantly, why would she have been fighting? The only onmyoji able to summon her were Finn and myself. “How—”

“Mu needed her,” was Kasai’s cryptic reply. “I don’t know the details.”

My pulse roared and my necklace burned against my skin.

I was done with being kept in the dark. Complacency had cost meeverything.