Blood Promise
Page 17
I met Sebastian’s eyes. His face expressed the same shock I felt.
“We’d have no contact with them?” Sebastian asked, his eyes flickering to the others, landing on Lillie’s.
“Of course you’d have contact with them. We’re all on the same team, here.”
“But we wouldn’t see them daily,” I said. It wasn’t a question, because I already knew the answer.
If Sebastian and I accepted this offer, Jasik, Malik, Jeremiah, and Lillie would be sent on scouting missions, hunting Rogues, ensuring that both everyone was safe and the human population never learned of our existence. Our relationship would turn from the brothers and sisters we felt we were to the in-laws you only saw during holidays. We’d get together a few times a year and talk war stories, and then we’d part ways and live our lives… separately.
“No,” I said, facing Kat. “Thank you, but my answer is no.”
“I second that,” Sebastian said, crossing his arms. “I have no interest in joining some council.”
She gasped. “Think about this opportunity. You have the chance to help form a new world, one where everything you’ve been fighting for will come to life. You really must reconsider.”
“Nothing to reconsider. It ain’t happenin’, mate,” Sebastian said as he leaned against the door, crossing one foot over the other.
With Sebastian clearly set in his ways, Kat’s eyes landed on me.
I smiled and looked at Jasik. “I already fought the good fight. I’m ready for retirement.” I winked.
Jasik smiled, and I walked to him, standing on my tiptoes and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. Pulling away, I stood beside him and the others, and I clasped my hand in Jasik’s.
“What you don’t understand, Kat, is that everything I’ve been fighting for… is right here.”
“Avah, we’re talking about something more important than love.”
I could practically see Malik tense from beside me. Had he known about this? He must’ve. He spent the night with Kat. I was sure she told him she was leaving, and I knew he’d go with her—if only Jasik went, too. Because his bond to his brother was unbreakable. He would trail the ends of the earth with him, so long as they were side by side.
That’s what this was really about: the love, the connections formed, the bonds made unbreakable.
I nodded. “I know. We’re not talking about love. We’re talking about family.”
“And you’re okay with just walking away from what you were born to do?”
“I’m not walking away, Kat. I’m reevaluating my priorities. At some point, I’ll join the fight, but honestly, I’m not thinking about that right now. Right now, I’m thinking about relaxing, traveling, and fighting the instinct to grab my weapon the minute someone knocks on my door. I’m thinking about living my life and loving my boyfriend. I’m thinking about spending time with my friends. It may sound selfish, but hell, I think we deserve to be a little selfish. I mean, we just wiped out at least ninety percent of the Rogue population in one fight. I think we can take a vacation. I’m ready to do nothing.”
“And once you’re done doing nothing?” she asked.
“Then I’ll call you.”
She smiled. “I have a feeling I won’t be getting that call for a few years.”
I nodded. “I have a feeling you may be right.”
She exhaled slowly and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “I must admit, I’m shocked by your decision. Of all people, I was sure that you would be the one who’d help us change the world.”
My mind flashed back to my first encounter with Sibyl. She had said something eerily similar, and briefly, I wondered if I was making the wrong decision. We often spoke of destiny and fate, but how far did that belief go? At what point was I to rely on free will?
I chuckled, squeezing Jasik’s hand and running my thumb against his skin. “Y’know, when I first met Sibyl, she told me the world would know my name.” I glanced at Jasik, whose eyes, filled with love and admiration, left me breathless. “And she was right,” I said, barely above a whisper. My eyes flickered back to Kat’s. “But not in the way she thought, or in the way I thought, or even in the way you’re thinking right now.” I shrugged. “The world does know my name. I’m the girl who took us into battle and came out on top.” I shook my head. “But I’m not the girl who stood behind the desk and dictated what happened afterward.” I smiled. “And I’m okay with this.”
A new world was dawning—one where the prejudices instilled at birth no longer controlled us. With this new future penned, I was finally able to sheath my weapon and hang it to dry.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This moment is bittersweet. It breaks my heart to walk away from the characters I’ve grown to love, but I’m blessed to have been given the opportunity to share their stories with you.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank my readers. You make this journey worth it. You make the sleepless nights, the ugly cries, and the (semi) caffeine addiction worth it. I hope you enjoyed Avah’s journey as much as I have.
To Tara, Robin, and Oftomes—I hope you know how much I appreciate you all. When I started this journey, I hoped I’d find someone like you. You’re not just an editor, a designer, or a publisher. You’re people I can lean on for support during this crazy ride. You’re family, and I love you all.
To my family—Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for reading my stories, for loving my characters as much as I do. Thank you for crying with me, for helping me work through the writing blocks, and for acting out awesome action scenes. I love you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danielle Rose is a romance writer and owner of Narrative Ink Editing LLC. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin—Parkside. Danielle currently resides in the Midwest, where she spends her days dreaming of warmer temperatures.
When not writing, reading, or traveling, Danielle can be found teaching composition at her local university or penning her next novel at a local coffee shop.
Visit Danielle online: www.Danielle-Rose.com.
Also by
Daemon Academy
BLOOD BOOKS TRILOGY
Blood Rose
Blood Magic
Blood Promise
SECRETS & SHOTS TRILOGY
Vexes & Vodka
Tricks & Tequila
Wishes & Whiskey
PIECES OF ME DUET
Break on Me
Before I Fall
OUT NOW
ONLY 0.99c