Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(94)

“She is,” Decker said.

Beck ran.

“Shit. Stay here, Biji, Summer,” Decker ordered. He released Summer and chased after his brother, not about to let him do something stupid. “Beck, wait!”

His brother ignored him and slid, tripped and ran down the icy slope towards the SUV, which Noah was rocking back and forth by reversing the vehicle then gunning it to try to gain traction on the ice. The chains dug into the ice, causing trenches to form. A minute before Beck reached the dock, the sound of thunder came from beneath the SUV. The ice cracked, and the vehicle dropped into the lake. Currents swept it quickly towards the center of the lake.

“No,” Beck’s stricken whisper mirrored Decker’s stunned silence.

The vehicle bobbed for a moment then began to sink.

Beck lunged for the dock. Decker followed, reaching his twin just as Beck stripped off his coat and prepared to leap into the frigid lake. The SUV was completely gone from view.

“Beck!” Decker shouted, snatching his arm. “Stop!”

“I don’t have much time,” Beck snapped, yanking away.

“No one can survive that,” Decker said.

“She can. She’s fire. She can stay warm until I reach her!” Beck’s gaze was wild and unfocused.

Decker grabbed him again, unwilling to lose his brother over a girl who wasn’t even willing to say farewell.

Beck swung at him. Decker released him and ducked. Beck took a couple of quick steps towards the edge of the dock.

Decker tackled him. Beck gave a startled shout then fought back. More focused on escape than fighting, Beck’s attempts to get rid of Decker were fruitless.

Decker didn’t try to be gentle. He punched Beck hard enough to stop him from fighting. Decker took advantage of the opening to put him in a chokehold, using his body to pin him to the ground.

“Stop,” he ordered. “I’m not letting you kill yourself.”

“NO!” Beck snarled, writhing. “I can –“

“It takes less than sixty seconds to drown in water this cold. You know that,” Decker said calmly. “It’s been twice that. She’s gone.”

“Maybe –“

“She’s. Gone. I won’t lose you, too.”

Beck went limp beneath him. His breathing was ragged and Decker saw tears glistening on his brother’s cheeks.

At that moment, Decker wanted to strangle Morgan. It wasn’t her fault that Beck fell for her, but it was her fault he was hurt. Beck had gone through too much to end up broken.

“I’m going to let you up. Okay?” Decker asked cautiously. “If you try to jump in the lake I will knock you flat.” He released Beck.

His twin didn’t move. Decker crouched beside him, eyes on the lake. It was impossible to tell if there were any heads bobbing in the dark waters, but he didn’t think it was possible even for a fire witchling to survive in such a cold environment for long.

Decker stood and strode to the edge of the dock.

Tell him I’m gone forever. No one can know where I am, Decker.

He didn’t have to worry about telling Beck anything now. The lake took care of that.

Decker paced, remaining between Beck and the edge of the lake, just in case.

He watched the shore nearby. Did he want her to survive or not?

Beck was in such pain, he thought he did.

Without his magick, Decker wasn’t able to ask the water what exactly happened when the SUV sank or if anyone survived. He waited a few more minutes then knelt beside his brother.

“Come on, Beck. We need to get the girls to a hospital and call the police.”

Beck pushed himself to his knees. His eyes were blank, his face pale.

Decker didn’t know how he was going to help Beck through the grief awaiting him. Decker’s own method of dealing with losing Summer had been to surrender to the Darkness. Beck was different.

Seeing his brother’s pain, Decker didn’t care what a soul stone was or what it was capable of doing. Running was cowardly, and no one hurt the people he loved.

With another glance towards the center of the lake, Decker helped his brother to his feet and slid beneath one of Beck’s arms to bolster his shaky steps. Decker turned them away from the lake and started back towards the lodge.

When the rite was over and his magick was back, he’d get some answers. Tonight, he had to take care of his family.

Decker. Sam’s soft summons made him miss a step. Before the yeti was able to say more, Decker’s instincts warned him that something else was up. Sam hadn’t spoken to him in weeks, let alone twice in one night.

“You can wait,” he growled.

Beck was oblivious to the world.

Now, Decker, please. It will help you with Beck.

He sighed in frustration. “I have no magick.”

I’ll bring you to me.

“Give me a couple of minutes.”

Biji stood at the top of the hill, staring at the lake. Summer’s arms were around her. Decker reached them and stretched for Summer, needing her touch to calm his rattled nerves. He wrapped her in his arms for a brief, tight hug. The scent of her blood made him want to seek out revenge on Dawn before going to Sam.

A glance at Beck changed his mind. His twin was like a zombie.

“Take Beck and go to the lodge,” he whispered to her. “I’m going to see Sam, then get help.”