Page 159 of The Never List
“Fuck yes, kitten!” I hear him yell, followed by the sounds of water crashing inside the temple.
Good.Good.
Two to go.
I might pass out again. No. I need to push on. I take a deep breath and focus.
Pierce’s emerald ribbons flutter in the recesses of my mind, searing hot as I grab them and throw them like a spear at his bond.
And then Jax’s… Of course his is the most elusive, like shadows and smoke. I internally search for it, swimming through my own mind and power.
There—the shadows, they curl at my mental attention, and I direct them to spiral around Jax’s bond.
A growl rumbles from Jax, not too far away, and relief snaps through me so quickly, I would’ve fallen over if I wasn’t already on the ground.
My mates have their powers again, and they’re using them to push the Faders back.
“What do we do, boss?” a man calls from somewhere below, and I spot a Fader in the corner of the balcony as they do some sort of hand signal over the railing, followed by that same whistle I heard during the attack at Sapphire Cove.
The boss then disappears behind the statue, likely leaping over the railing to the stairs below.
Shit. I need to move, to go after them, but my legs are so damn heavy. All I manage to do is peer over the railing nearest me.
Allthe Faders are retreating.
“Rylee!” Kal flies toward me, landing softly at my side. His arms are immediately around me, helping me sit up properly.
My head rushes from the movement, but I cling to him.
“You’re okay,” he says on a released breath, eyes scanning me. “You’re okay?”
I nod. “I’m all right, Kal.”
“Kitten.” Axl’s voice is rough and low as he rushes toward me. “Fuck me, we thought we lost you.”
“I’m here,” I say, reaching out to him, each embrace from him and Kal giving me strength.
“Darling.”Pierce says the word inside my mind, the bond between us trembling at the mental closeness as he propels himself up and over the balcony railing with his emerald green energy. He drops next to me, hands on myface. “Are you harmed?”
I shake my head, giving him a reassuring smile before I wrap my arms around his neck. My strength is slowly returning.
“I’m not harmed. Exhausted. Confused. But I’ll be okay.” I hope I’m telling the truth, but with the way I felt when I held all of their powers? I’m not so certain.
“Butterfly.” Jax’s voice is broken and raw as he climbs the stairs, his indigo eyes practically glowing as he stalks toward me.
Kal, Pierce, and Axl move away only enough so Jax can wrap me in his arms, drawing me up to my feet and holding me tight against him.
I grasp him with a desperate grip, my legs trembling but supporting me enough in his embrace.
Jax shifts to look down at me, cupping my cheeks. “Do you still want to choose us?” he asks, his voice broken. “Do you still want this life? After everything?”
I furrow my brow. “How can you ask me that?”
He leans his forehead against mine. “You died…Rylee…” His voice cracks, and I can feel the bond between us tightening, shaking.
“I would do it again,” I say, turning to look at each of my mates. “I would do itallagain.” I glance at Jax. “Tell me, mate—am I lying?”
Jax visibly swallows and shakes his head.
