Page 178 of King Alejandro

I smirked watching them. He had to crouch down to get through the door. No matter how trying stuff was, there was a lot that we still had that we were grateful for.

Night had fallen.The team had begun to assemble, but some would arrive in the morning. The tension and nerves that were running through the mansion were palpable. Even the kids seemed to notice it, no matter how subtly we acted about it. Uncle’s kids knew we were leaving, and I felt bad for them, considering they hadn’t seen their mom in a few days either. Kataleya had been terrified that Kiara had been kidnapped. She had gotten so worked up that she had wanted to see Kiara in person, so Uncle had had to explain stuff to her without giving her the full details.

We would be leaving around mid-day tomorrow, hoping to get to the planned location by night. We’d had a meeting earlier on and there would be one final one before we left tomorrow. The final showdown…

I still didn’t want Mom to come, but she was adamant about going. Her and Uncle’s odd behaviour was beginning to worry me. I wanted to have a final word with her, really wanting her to change her mind about going. Raihana had come to check on Delsanra, as she hadn’t awoken.

“Mind watching her for a bit? I just want to go have a word with Mom,” I said, standing up. She looked up at me and nodded.

“Sure,” she agreed, looking back at Delsanra.

“Thanks.”

I left the room and walked down the hall to Mom’s room. I knocked lightly, but there was no answer. I opened the door slowly, peering inside. I was about to call her when I saw her sitting on a prayer mat with her legs tucked under her. Her eyes were closed, and her hands were raised in front of her in silent prayer. I hadn’t seen her like this in a while. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, and I knew she was so immersed in whatevershe was praying for that she hadn’t heard me.

Now wasn’t the right time. I’d talk to her in the morning. I was about to close the door when I sensed someone behind me. Before I could even turn, he spoke,

“She’s going to sacrifice herself, you know.”

A Risky Plan

Rayhan

Iturned sharply to see Dante standing there. Reaching over, he quietly shut the door.

“What do you mean she’s going to sacrifice herself?” I asked sharply.

He looked down the hallway before motioning for me to follow him. Why did he act like a twenty-year-old rather than his age? This boy… but I was far more worried about what he had just said outside Mom’s room. A thousand thoughts crossed my mind as he opened my bedroom door, making Raihana look at us questioningly.

“You can leave,” Dante told her, making her frown.

“And what are you doing here?” She asked.

“I came to see Delsanra,” he replied haughtily. Walking around the bed, he looked down at her. Side by side, it was clear that the veins on Delsanra’s skin were a lot worse. The asshat bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead, making Raihana smirk.

“Ah, the cousins are fighting over a girl,” she teased.

“We aren’t. She’s mine,” I said, crossing my arms. I wanted to ask what he meant, but it was obvious he wasn’t planning on telling me until Raihana was gone. “You can go.” She stood up and stretched.

“Sure. Keep an eye on her…” she said, concern crossing her face.

“I will.”

She gave a nod before she left the room. I turned to Dante, who was standing there strokingmykitten’shair.

“Oi, stop touching her. What did you mean earlier?” I asked. He raised an eyebrow before crossing his arms.

“I meant that Mama Mari is the one who will deliver the final blow to the Djinn, and she will die doing so.”

What? My head was spinning as I stared at him, trying to collect the emotions and thoughts that were storming through my mind.

“I don’t get it, what do you mean?” I said, running my hand through my hair. He frowned seriously as he looked down at Delsanra.

“The price of killing a djinn... the one who uses the virgin blade will die unless they are of the same kind; djinns, devils, and demons are all of the same family. Unless you are one, the wielder will die…” he said quietly.

“Does Uncle know this?” I asked sharply. From what I knew, Uncle was going to go in for the final attack…

“Yes, and so does your mom. She wants to return to Uncle Rafael,” he said quietly. His frown was deep, and all traces of cockiness were gone.