5 Darkness Falls (29 page)

“This isn’t your battle, so I understand if you don’t want to go, but
just
know that
I am
.” I looked directly at Kellan,
staring
into his beautiful emerald eyes. “I’m not giving up. I refuse to surrender any part of my soul.”

There was a storm of emotions
brewing
in his eyes, some of which I couldn’t define. I didn’t have to though. “I don’t want you to,” he stated.

“Everyone, let’s move to the army headquarters. We’ll use their satellites to get an oversized visual of the area.” Kai placed a hand on my shoulder, letting me know that I wouldn’t be going alone.

They began clearing out, taking their weapons with them. My home was growing colder, emptier by the second.

“Why don’t you go with them? Cecilia will
be
coming right for you. You’ll need the strategic advantage.” Kai gestured for Kellan to go with the teams.

Kellan focused on me. “Will you be okay?”

“Will
you
be?” I countered, my brows drawing together.

“I hope so.” He gave me a
faint
smile. “Truce?”

“Truce.”

“Good.” He closed in on me, capturing m
y
lips as his hands
gently
rubbed my belly. Pulling away, his eyes sparkled like a chandelier. “I’ll see you soon.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Kellan stopped in front of Kai. He stretched out a hand towards him. “Thanks.”

Kai shook his hand, but held his tongue, remaining quiet. His flexing muscles and controlled expression said it all for him.

Kellan dipped out, leaving us alone. He sat down across from me at the table. “Dramo should be back soon.”

“Okay.”

He nibbled his bottom lip, something I hadn’t seen him do before. A frown marred his features. “Leka…” He sighed, rubbing his fingers across his forehead. “I have to know why. Why him and not me?”

My mouth went dry, all
the
serum evaporating from my throat. “It’s not a mental or emotional choice. It’s not even a physical one. In fact, if I was to
decide
based off those things, then I would be with you. I can’t explain my soul, but that’s what it is. My spirit has this otherworldly connection with his. I can’t define it, I can’t sever it
and I can’t ignore it
.”

I rubbed my thumb
in circles
across my palm. “I love him, but it’s not our love that keeps us together, if that even makes sense. It’s why I can so easily love you both
,
yet still choose him. And I’m so sorry for how awful that sounds.”

Kai’s face
became
a mask. He wasn’t giving an inch. It hurt my heart to lay it out like that. But it was the truth
,
in words I’d never even spoke to Kellan. “I’m not mad at you for telling me the truth. How could I
be,
when you still said you loved me?”

I didn’t feel any better. In fact, my gut continued to
coil
tighter. Every inhalation sent sand blasting into my lungs rather than air as I openly gazed at him. “I wish it wasn’t that way sometimes. I wish I could snap my fingers and regain my freedom of choice. Life isn’t that nice though.
Or that easy. It
likes to
show
you several paths, giving the illusion of options, only to force you down one due to uncontrollable circumstances.” I placed my hand over his fist on the table. “I really am sorry. Please know that I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you. A scary fact is that
,
lately
,
I trust
you
more than Kellan. You’ve been more reliable than him; better in so many ways. I’m telling the truth when I say I wish it could be
us
sometimes.”

“I understand, Leka. I don’t blame you
, although it
doesn’t make it easier to accept. You’ve told me plenty of times to move on though. You’ve never faltered in making it clear that you would always choose him. Leave it up to a man to have selective hearing, right?” He smirked
, his
smile gr
owing
wistful. “I guess I was still holding onto chance, wishing that fate would intervene for me.”

The prophecy
crashed
into the forefront of my mind. My heart sped up. The hard part was, I could picture myself so easily with Kai, but couldn’t fathom the amount of pain I’d bear in the beginning over the loss of Kellan. Reversely, it would be similar, but not to the same extent. I loved Kai, but
our souls didn’t touch the way Kellan’s and mine did.
I loved Kai, but he didn’t own every part of me the way Kellan did. I supposed this was how Bella felt. She loved Jacob, but Edward
had
already
captured so
much more than he could ever access.

Someone rapped on the door. Kai looked up at the security screen. “It’s Dramo.”

I let go of his hand as he got up to answer it. I listened as he updated the vamp and sent him off.

He rounded the corner
, setting
the food and
the
milkshake on the table in front of me. “Eat up.”

“Thanks. I probably won’t have time to stop again before everything happens.” I pulled the burger and fries from the bag, immediately shoving a
stray
fry into my mouth.

His features drew down. “Make sure you rest.”

“I’ll probably just crash on the couch in Auggy’s office for a bit.”

Something was troubling him. “Kalel and Gabi already issued the order for all Bladang soldiers in the state to be there backing you up tomorrow. Auggy did the same
as soon as
he found out. You’re not in this alone, Leka. No matter what, you’ll always have back up. You’ll
never
be alone.”

I swallowed the bite in my mouth. “You’ve made sure of that.”

He nodded. “I’ll always make sure of it, whether I’m here or not, okay?”

I didn’t like the direction of this conversation. He was hiding behind a hard façade. I couldn’t ga
u
ge him. I didn’t know if this final spurt of truth was sending him off into the sunset far away, possibly in Hawaii, or if he was speaking metaphorically. Rather than question him, I found myself
simply
saying, “Okay.”

“I’ll take you over to headquarters, but after that
,
I have a few things I need to do.”

My expression barely changed.
“Okay.” I ate another fry.

“I love you, Leka.” His voice was soft, reverent. He was standing a good seven feet away, yet I’d never felt so enraptured by him, so wrapped up in him.

“I love you too, Kai.”

He glanced down at my food. “Eat. I’m going to
make sure
everything is locked up around here.”

I watched as he moved into the study. My heart was bouncing around in my chest, foreboding
rising in me.
I didn’t know which man it was for, but I knew without a shadow of doubt that I was abo
ut lose one of the men I loved.

Chapter 26

“That evil witch is not laying a finger on either of my babies,” Beth growled, rubbing a hand on my belly. “We’re going to fight like hell, sweetie.”

“I second that, honey. Nothing is going to happen to you, Kellan or that baby on our watch,” Aunt Claire declared. She and Beth were dressed in the vamp army issued black uniform.

“Thanks. I really appreciate your support, but please, don’t get hurt out there.”

Mel laughed. “So says the disabled pregnant woman.”

“I am not disabled,” I snarled.

That only sent her laughing harder.

Gabi elbowed her for me. “We’re here. We’re ready, and we’re going to kick some ass.”

“Damn dittle, love.” Craig draped an arm around my shoulders. “For the upple pup too.” He touched my baby bump.

“We’re ready, boss.” Jarrod nodded at me.

“Perfect. Load up and I’ll meet you two miles from the location.”

“See you there.” He walked away.

“Hell yeah! They gave me grenades this time, bro.” Anthony juggled a duffle bag that I assumed was full of explosives.

“Be careful you don’t set those off, itchy fingers.”

He looked at me and winked. “This is my forte, baby.”

“Why do I get the feeling he’s going to set those off before they ever reach our destination?” Mel shook her head in dismay.

“Dear heavens. He works for you, honey?” Aunt Claire seemed squeamish to say the least at the prospect. She placed a hand on her chest, frowning as Anthony walked out with the rest of my special op squad. They were the best at combat. I hadn’t had the chance to ga
u
ge my other employee’s skill yet and didn’t want to risk them.

“Yes. He’s a lot more competent than he looks.”

“I’d hope so,” she said.

“We’re going, Jackson,” Auggy called. “I’ve got more men heading up
.”

“Alright. I’ll see you there.”

“You ready for this?” Kellan asked, coming up behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist,
holding me against his warmth.

I took a deep breath. I’d had time to
consider
the possible outcomes. I was prepared for none of them, but I would control the controllable: my reaction to it, whatever it happened to be. Or, at least, I hoped I could.

“Let’s get rolling,
primo
,” Derek stepped into our circle. Kellan had called him and he’d
been eager for a
second chance at Cecilia, and
also
to back his new family. I still didn’t know much about him. From the Face
Time chats I knew he wasn’t an open book, but with time, maybe he’d allow me access to a few pages.

I frowned as I looked around the office. Kalel had been there earlier with Francesca, but went out to grab more weapons. It was Kai who had been absent most of the day.

“You ready, sweetie?” Beth’s voice cut through my worry.

“Um, yeah.” I tugged down on my tank top. I was still in my VS
Capri
sweats and a tank. With tennis shoes though
,
it made the perfect workout outfit, or in my case, combat outfit.

***

Kellan

I’d consulted with Will earlier. He wouldn’t budge. He refused to give me the tiniest hint into what we were facing. I tried studying the prophecy myself, but it was too cryptic. Half of it really was left up to interpretation.
I’d have to keep after Will to help me.

I hated the idea of Lexi being anywhere near Cecilia. The only reason I wasn’t fighting her on this was because of the amount of back up we had. The connections we’d forged had proved invaluable. I couldn’t look around at all these vamps willing to fight for us and ever think that we were in this alone, and as long as I had her, I
knew
I wasn’t in anything alone.

I’d lost sight of that recently. I’d take her distraction and turned it into a dismissal. I hadn’t taken into account her circumstances.

“Dismal donger on the stock, mate. We’re gonna stook her.” Craig spoke with conviction. His eyes affirmed
his words.

“I hope so.”

We all moved out and loaded into the cars. We were headed northwest towards the mountains. We had five hours until fate
would come
to pass.

***

Kai

“Are you certain?” Will pursed his lips, twining his hands on the desk.

“After studying the prophecy, I’m certain that it’s me.”

“Well, then, best of luck to Lexi. She’s going to need it.” His eyes
twinkled
with respect.

He stuck his hand across the desk between the piles. I firmly shook it. “Thanks.”

Chapter 27

My heart pounded in my chest as we arrived at the meet-up location. I was surprised as I scanned the area
,
noting
the amount of vehicles parked. At least two hundred vehicles were scattered along
the
forest wall.
All of these people were here to help us?

Kellan grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go.”

“Let’s go kick some vampy butt,” Mel declared.

While she was excited, I was nervous. The baby had been unnervingly quiet the entire drive. Its heartbeat was steady, but the lack of movement still
concerned
me.

I slipped out of the car, immediately spotting my team. I made my way towards them. “You all ready?”