Page 60 of His Retribution

My stomach drops.

He knows my name, knows the name of my love.

Oh, my heart, where are you?

This monster’s smile grows evil as he bends to meet my eyes. "He is not coming, Cora. My grandson cannot save you, he will never be able to save you."

In the blink of an eye his hand replaces the hair around my throat, his skeletal fingers squeezing tightly. ”And I will make sure he understands he has crossed me for the last time."

The monster drags me by the neck out of the cabin, my feet still unable to move, the toes of my boots scraping the dirt. Once outside, he throws me to the ground, digs his fingers into my hair, and forces my eyes just down the hill.

Havok.

Oh, my love, what has he done to you?

He's on his knees, his position the same as mine, his face battered, body clearly broken. I can see his eyes, the swelling and bruising around them, the river of blood flowing over his face unable to hide the fierce glow.

I lunge forward, try to go to him but the creature behind me pulls my hair hard, causes my head to snap back on my neck before he shoves me to the ground. He turns my head, forces my eyes on Havok and as he does he calls out in a language I've never heard before, then one of his men grab my love by the hair to make him watch whatever is about to happen.

My arm moves on its own, stretches out toward my love, his watch still firm in my grip.

Oh my heart, my love, help me. Please.

I immediately scold myself for the thought.

It is clear, even through my fear and pain that my heart fought for me, fought for us until he was unable to fight any longer. His injuries prove that and any pleading on my part will only cause him guilt, pain, and all I want him to feel, to remember in this moment is my undying love.

"Havok!" His name tears from my throat in a scream as the monster drives his sword through the back of my hand, the metal only stopping as the tip breaks the glass face in my palm.

I try not to cry, try not to show weakness but it is impossible as he twists the blade then yanks it free. I sob as he lifts the sword to his lips and licks my blood from the edge, malice dripping from his words, his expression filled with hate.

"Now I shall always be able to find you.” He licks the other side. "And he never will."

Then I'm lifted through the air, his hand once again on my throat.

"Now he will watch. Watch as I extinguish the light that burns so brightly for him, the light no one else shall ever bathe in, the light that will no longer shine brighter than the sun."

He squeezes and his nails start to pierce my flesh.

I do not want my love to see this but when my eyes find his, Havok cannot look away.

"I..." The monster's grip tightens again, warmth running down my neck. "Havok… I… I love you."

Then the creature, the monster, blocks my view, his soulless eyes furious. "You were mine." He squeezes. "You were meant to be mine!"

I only feel the ripping of flesh momentarily before I taste the coppery tang of blood fill my mouth, and when he yanks his hand back, my body drops to the ground completely limp, my vision going dark.

Havok is screaming, fighting the men holding him back, tears of red running down his cheeks. Then one last time as my heart slows to almost nothing, my body lifts, floats, and finally comes to rest among the freezing waves that will carry me to my final resting place.

Havok.

Havok, my heart, my love.

I am sorry.

So sorry.

Havok...