Page 116 of Worse Fates

Tears stream down my cheeks. “Of course, I’ll always come for you.”

“I know, my light...” Somehow, through all of his pain, he smiles.

The spike in Golden’s chest melts back into blood, and more of his spills out.

“We have to get out of here,” Rurik shouts “the place is coming down!”

I ignore the heat, the beams crashing to the floor, and the fire creeping up the walls. By the time I get Golden out he would’ve bled to death.

“D-do it…” he chokes, coughing up blood.

I wanted more time with him blissfully human, to allow Golden to become someone not constantly in survival mode and to spoil him endlessly. To make him into a vampire when we were both ready, maybe even finally get that full orchestra.

“I trust you,” he whimpers, tears in his eyes and love in his voice. “I love you.”

I don’t hesitate, I bite into my wrist and bring it to Golden’s mouth. He’s weak, but my soulmate drinks deeply, our eyes connecting as everything burns around us.

“Since the moment I was born I’ve loved you,” I tell Golden, my heart open even as it breaks. “In every lifetime Isearched for you. Not my soulmates, but you, Golden. My heart, my love, my everything.”

The ceiling crumbles, glass explodes and Golden’s pulse begins to slow.

And through it all, his gaze never leaves mine as he gulps.

“And when every star in every sky burns out, it’ll be our love that keeps the universe from going cold.”

The slurping at my wrist stops, and I tuck one of his curls gently behind his ears before standing, Golden cradled in my arms, his cheek resting on my shoulder.

And as we leave the blazing warehouse, Golden dies.

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Lucero

“What’s happening?!” Kai screams.

Gently I lay Golden’s body on the ground. The burning warehouse crashes and creaks, crumbling in on itself. Water spitting from the overhanging clouds doing nothing to put the fire out.

“Apollo, I finally found you—” Behind me, Rurik’s voice is full of desperate hunger.

“Listen, I don’t know who the hell you are, so piss off. We’ve got bigger issues right now,” Apollo snaps, impatient.

“Oh my god, oh my god, Golden’s not moving! Is he dead?”

“Kai, calm down.” Ramy gently soothes him. “He’s turning into a vampire. It takes time.”

“How long?” Kai demands. “How fucking long!”

“Soon,” Ramy says, though he sounds unsure himself. “Summer, why don’t you get the car so we can move once Golden’s awake.”

“I’ll be right back.” Summer’s footfalls pound away.

I ignore the rest of it, Ramy trying to calm Kai. Rurik’s naked need and Apollo’s disinterest. All of it fades into the background, unimportant. All that matters is Golden.

His skin is ashen under all the red. His curls tangled. His hands marred with cuts, the hole in his chest pushing out oozing blood.

My breath is locked away as I wait for my soulmate to return to me.

I wait as I gently cup his pale cheeks, tears in my lashes.

I wait.