Reborn (Shadow Beast Shifter, #3)(103)

Dannie’s eyes met mine, and there was a softness there that hadn’t been before. “I’m sorry, Mera,” she whispered, and for the first time, I felt she meant it. “So sorry.”

Those were her last words before she crumbled and plummeted, slamming hard against the ground. Feathers shot everywhere and by the time we landed beside her, there was nothing but a few stray feathers remaining of the Danamain.

“She’s gone,” Shadow said, his arms around me as he held on like I might disappear too.

Like Angel. My eyes filled with tears as I lost my wolf-phoenix, turning back into a chick who’d lost her best friend. A chick whose insides were tearing her apart.

Midnight wrapped around me, followed by Shadow, the pair keeping me together.

When I finally straightened, Shadow pressed a kiss to my forehead. “She went out as a warrior,” he murmured. “Don’t take that from her.”

I trembled, looking at the spot where Angel had fallen. There was nothing but her armor there now, and I had no idea where Honor Meadow beings went upon death. I’d find out when I was mentally able to handle it.

“I will return the stone to Faerie,” Len said, interrupting when he couldn’t wait any longer.

Shadow held up a hand to stop his friend before he disappeared. “Take Inky and Midnight with you.” His eyes briefly met mine. “If that’s okay with you, Mera? I’d just hate for anything to happen to Len or the stone until it’s locked away again.”

I nodded, unable to process my feelings, but knowing he was right. “Yes, that’s a good idea.”

Midnight dove closer to wrap around me. I’m sorry for your loss, Mera, it said, offering support and love. But I will protect the stone, so it never happens again.

I swallowed hard. Thank you, friend. It just hurts.

Midnight seemed to understand, as it lifted me off the ground for an extra strong hug. Inky joined in, the pair of them loving on me the only way they could. For a moment, it helped, and I brushed my hands through their sparking centers as they set me back on the ground.

By the time Len placed a kiss on my cheek and disappeared from the castle grounds with the two mists, I was once again trembling and on the verge of losing it. Grief was a never-ending torment on my soul.

“Sunshine.” Shadow drew my attention. “You need to release some of the power back into the Honor Meadows.”

I heard his words but didn’t move.

“If you continue to hold this level of energy,” he tried again, “it will corrupt you as the stone did with Dannie.”

And still, I couldn’t make myself release the last part of Angel still with me.

“Mera!” A snap of command. “Come back to me, Sunshine. Step away from the darkness and return to my side.”

Technically, I was at his side, but I knew what he meant.

A sob wracked through me as I dropped to my knees, my hands digging into the ground as a scream built. “It hurts,” I choked out. “It’s killing me, Shadow.”

He got down with me, wrapping his huge frame over the top of mine as he cradled my body. “I know,” he said huskily. “I feel your pain and my own, but you’re not alone. I will hold you together until such a time you can do it yourself. Fall into me, Sunshine. Fall. Into. Me.”

For once, I did exactly as I was told. The scream faded when I collapsed against my mate, and he drew me into his lap, rocking me back and forth until I could function again. Shadow was the strong one today because I just couldn’t do it for myself.

When my heartbeats had calmed and I was able to focus, Shadow helped me to properly return the energy into the Honor Meadows, both of us building layers until I was only in possession of my Nexus energy. Then he lifted me, cradling my body in his arms. “You saved us, Sunshine,” he said as he pressed his lips to my cheek, and lips, and shoulder. “You saved us and the worlds and your creatures. You’re the fucking hero today, and we will honor you and Angel’s sacrifice.”

“Angel deserves it,” I said listlessly. “She gave too much, as always, and it’s not fair.”

I waited for his usual Life isn’t fair, Sunshine, but he never said a word. He just held me closer, keeping me together as he’d promised.





57





At some point, Shadow got us both dressed again, our friends well and truly having seen every naked inch of us as we dealt with the fallout of losing Angel. It was something I’d have joked with her about, but now, I just got to feel her absence stabbing in my chest.

“We should check the Nexus,” Lucien said, reminding us that this wasn’t quite over yet. “Dannie may be reborn, and we need to assess her threat level.”

This broke through my grief. “Maybe I shouldn’t have released the power?” I asked, looking between Shadow and the others.

My mate shook his head. “She’s no match for us without the stone, and it was too risky to hold that much energy.”

That provided some relief, and I thought of what might happen when we saw her again. “I hope she doesn’t choose to return,” I admitted. “Because I’m not sure we can allow her to remain free. Not with her need for power.”

“Her rebirth should strip that away,” Shadow said, “but I agree that it would be best if she didn’t return.”