Page 49 of The Never List (Never List #1)

Jax

I nstinct barrels through me, my mind awakening before my eyes open. I roll to the side, hearing a clink of sharp metal sinking into the marble floor right near my face.

I barely have time to take stock of my surroundings before dodging another blow from a long sword that nicks my cheek.

I roll away, popping to my feet, my head pounding and my body feeling so much lighter than it ever has before.

“Faders,” I hiss as I notice a dozen of them converging on the temple. My friends are still groaning awake near me. I reach internally for my power, prepared to send them all running screaming, but there’s nothing there.

Nothing but wisps of air where I used to have a well to draw from.

Pierce, Axl, and Kal make it to their feet, and I dodge another sword swing, gripping the Fader’s wrist and landing a kick to his middle, sending him soaring in the other direction.

I quickly scoop up Rylee’s body, my heart breaking when I realize she’s still not breathing.

She may not choose to come back.

In the end, she may not choose us at all.

I carry her around the statue of my mother, tucking her near her back against the balcony railing, making sure she’s well out of sight before I rejoin my friends.

“She’s still not breathing,” I say.

“Fuck,” Axl growls.

“We have no power.” Kal curls his hands into fists.

“What if she chooses not to come back?” Pierce asks, fear lacing his tone.

I suck in a deep breath, calculating the odds of us surviving this with no weapons save for my blades.

I pass one to each of them and roll my neck. “Then I suppose we’ll meet her on the other side.”