Page 56 of Seared Fates

“Demons aren’t like us, Kai…” She seems to let go of whatever thought held her, face smoothing. “Demons take what they want, and crush what they don’t.”

Her palm comes back up to her chest, as if she had no control over her actions. It makes my own fingers twitch to grab at my hair, but I keep washing the brushes.

“My parents were too loud, and because of that, the Demon King and his fucking son killed every single member of my family as punishment.”

I pull my hands from the water and step towards her, grabbing hold of her palms. “Fuck, that’s awful.”

“I never cared before about that shitty plot of land or the magic on it,” she says, gripping back. “The day I held my siblings in my arms was the day I started to care.”

Even the idea of losing my little brothers could bring tears to my eyes. So for Summer to have to live that reality? My heart breaks for my friend.

“What about the other shadow mages? Surely they couldn’t let that shit stand.”

“The tower didn’t care. Even my Sovereign said they got what they deserved,” she snarls.

Summer then tugs her hands out of mine and pulls her shirt to the side to show an odd symbol carved into her flesh. Like a figure eight stamped with an upside-down capital ‘R’

“Instead of being with my family, I was with my Sovereign, cutting the spell into my body that’d make me immortal and becoming a full-fledged shadow mage. I’d been so proud that day, teasing my sisters and brother before I left, yet now, when I look at this thing, all I feel is ashamed.”

I wish I knew the right words to soothe Summer’s pain, but sometimes all that can be done is letting them know you’re there, so I squeeze her tighter.

She chuckles and slips off the counter to give me a full hug. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to dump all this shit on your shoulders. Especially when you’re dealing with the soulmate stuff.”

“You knew?”

She pulls back to raise an eyebrow. “Yeah, babe, it’s really obvious.”

I shove her gently, snorting. “Listen, ignore all my mess. It’s okay to open up if you need to. They were your family, Summer. There’s no time limit on that shit. Be upset, scream, destroy stuff. Hell, I’ll help you.”

A part of me wants to ignore what Vidar said and tell Summer everything—the book, Emma, my fire. But the last thing I want to do after she shared the horrifying story of her family is hand over an armful of magical bullshit drama.

“Know what I really need?” Summer grins. “A big drink and some dancing.”

“Fuck yeah! Let’s go out tonight, have a bit of fun.” I wink. “Maybe even relax a little.”

“Vidar won’t like you ‘relaxing’,” Summer teases.

“Vidar and I are…friends. Nothing else. He’s straight.”

“Suuuure.”

Instead of telling her to go screw herself, I ask, “Do you know many soulmates?”

Summer chews on her lip as she thinks. “Golden and Lucero are the first I’ve met in years. Soulmates are really rare, Kai. Like, so rare it’s crazy there are two in such close proximity. Most immortals never even meet their soulmates.”

I go back to the sink and tug the plug out. “Well, Fate fucked up on this one.”

“Or did she?” Summer leans in close, a devilish glint in her eyes.

“What does that mean?” I ask as I dry my hands on a towel.

“No idea. But Fate squashed you two together, so kiss already.”

“Listen, none of that shit matters, alright? Me and him, we'll figure it out. Or not, who fucking knows. What really matters is if you ever need me I’m here. Especially if it’s to chat about your family or anything. No one should have to go through that alone.”

“Thanks, Kai.” Summer’s attention seems drawn back to a spot behind me, but she quickly pulls her focus back with a small shake of her head. “You, too.”

Chapter twenty-three