Alyson Noel - Horizon

“I’m not trying to sell it!” His fists curl at his sides as his eyes narrow on mine. “You just happened to look saddened by the news, and—”

“And that bothers you?” I take a step toward him, chancing a quick look at Raven, ensuring he’s more or less okay, before I return to Cade. “My sadness makes you feel the need to defend your actions?”

His features sharpen, his face darkens, but that’s as far as he gets. As far as he’s capable of getting. And we both know it.

“I thought I made myself clear. You’re not the one running the show here, Seeker. That would be me . And just so you know, your friends aren’t faring so well either. Believe me—” He grabs the dome of Raven’s cage and dangles it so precariously Raven lets out a long, gurgling croak as his purple eyes roll back in his head, and his claws clutch the perch in a fight to stay upright. His distress so palpable I’m about to intervene, when Cade lowers it to the ground and says, “Your little bird here is getting off easy. As for your friends, well, Lita was a lot better off when she was with me. But now, thanks to you, Seeker, Lita’s all on her own. Though it’s not like I didn’t warn her. Just like I predicted, Axel didn’t waste a second to ditch her once the three worlds opened wide. Didn’t think twice about trading her in for the glowing girls back home. And to think all he left her with was an eagle feather, as though that could possibly help. My guess is she became demon bait not long after. But don’t look so glum. You’ll be happy to know that Xotichl and Auden are alive and well, and, as it turns out, Coyote’s to control for all of eternity. Seems they fell for the oldest trick in the book. It was almost too easy. Amazing what people will sacrifice for a taste of popularity. Of course, Lita knows a thing or two about that. Or, should I say, did . Lita did know. Lita’s not present tense anymore.”

I keep my face neutral. He’s trying to get a rise out of me, and I won’t take the bait. I’m just hoping his failure to mention Jennika is because she managed to slip under his radar, and not because he’s saving the juiciest bit for later.

“Let’s face it, you failed, Seeker, in every conceivable way. You failed your friends, your ancestors, your Raven.” He nudges the cage with his foot, moving it closer to Coyote, who thumps his tail in approval. “You’ve failed everyone. But most of all, you’ve failed yourself. And now, I’m afraid you’ve lasted way past your expiration date. You’re beginning to smell a bit . . . fowl, as they say.” He laughs heartily at his joke as I make a point of rolling my eyes. “Anyway, enough of that. It’s time for me to finish what I started. Which means it’s time for you to reunite with your ancestors.”

The gap that separates me from the next gorge easily spans six feet, if not more. Still, I’m pretty sure I can nail the leap if it should come to that.

But only if it comes to that.

“So how do you plan to do it?” I ask, stalling for time as I get a better grip on my blowgun, remembering how he loves a good monologue.

“What? And wreck the surprise?” He kneels beside Raven’s cage, giving firm instructions to Coyote to wait for the signal, before returning to me. “What happened to your mask?” He places his hands on his hips and frowns as though he just now noticed it was missing. “I always imagined you wearing it when I snuff the light from your eyes and Coyote devours your spirit animal.”

“Guess you’ll both have to improvise. Besides, I don’t see you wearing your moon and sun.”

“I have no need for symbols when it’s about to be done.”

“Is it?” I take a step toward him. “Is that what you think?”

“That’s what I know . Shadow is about to eclipse Sun, which means you, Seeker, will fall. I’ve rescinded the offer to rule alongside me. Turns out, you’re not up for the task. And, for the record, I saw right through your façade. Your clumsy attempts at flirting and feigning interest in me were painful at best.”

“Really? How about when I clocked you and sent you spinning on your ass—how’d you feel then?”

“Nice try, Seeker. Trying to distract me from the task. You’re outmatched. The game was never yours to control. Don’t believe me? Take a good look around. The prophecy is in motion and there’s no way to stop it. Oh, and just so you know, I won’t miss you when you go.”

“No, I don’t suspect you will. But not for the reason you think.”

He quirks a brow, cocks his head to the side.

“I’m not going anywhere, Cade.”

“You’re funny.”

“I’m a lot of things. As you’re about to see.”

I raise Dace’s blowgun. The one he insisted I use on him, and aim straight for his brother. Confident the beast will spare Dace’s life like it did on New Year’s Eve.

“You’re not going to use that relic against me?” Cade smirks, not taking me the least bit seriously. Unfortunately for him, it’s a mistake he won’t live long enough to regret.

I close an eye, center my aim, and shoot.

Watching the dart soar straight for its target. The moment I’ve been imagining about to come to fruition.

Until Cade ducks, the dart breezes over his head, and the next thing I know, the top of Cade’s head is barreling into my gut.

My feet fly up from beneath me, my back smacks hard on the slab, and my head quickly follows. The blow so unexpected it knocks the breath out of me.

I squint into the space, struggling to see past the constellation of tiny white stars blurring my vision. Just barely able to make out the sight of Cade looming over me, fist raised high, ready to strike.

“Say goodbye, Seeker.” He grins, about to nail the same spot his father had a go at, when his eyes meet mine and, once again, I catch a glimmer of my own reflection staring back.

That’s twice now. And the thing is, Cade’s eyes never used to reflect.

While they used to glow red when he was in full-blown demon mode, they never mirrored. They could only absorb like the abyss that they are.

It’s what enabled him to control people by changing their perception—he absorbed their energy until they were his to control.

He’s just about to make contact, when I jump to my feet and catch him by the wrist. “You sure you want to do that?” I twist his arm until he grimaces. “Cos it kind of seems like you don’t.”

“Keep dreaming,” he grunts. Though his tone, like his face, is full of bravado, there’s something off about him. Something more than just the strangeness of his gaze.

For one thing, if he was serious, he would’ve pushed me away and punched me already. My grip’s not that tight.

But instead, his fingers flex uncertainly. As though he’s purposely leaning into me, only pretending to try to free himself from my hold, while secretly enjoying the contact of his skin on my flesh.

Just like his brother, he’s reluctant to make good on his threat.

Until Leandro’s voice rumbles from across the divide.

DAIRE

“Enough, Cade! What’re you waiting for? A goodbye kiss?” Leandro’s voice booms from across the canyon. “Kill her already. If you have any hope of redeeming yourself, do it now! You’ve failed at every single thing you’ve set out to do. Kill the Seeker, Cade, or I’ll come over there and do it for you!”

Cade wrenches free of my grip. Looking between Leandro and me with a conflicted gaze, his body involuntarily twitches and shakes, while his creepy Coyote snarls and yelps beside Raven, who clings to the backside of his cage.

“I didn’t fail!” Cade screams. His face, like his voice, is choked with rage. “I’m the reason you’re here! I’m the one who opened the portals! Me— not Dace!”