Chapter 102: Chapter 102

Adelie

Dad had cautioned me against revealing my scheme to Burton. He was adamant that Burton’s determination to save lives would override any other considerations.

If Burton got wind of my plan, he’d put a stop to it. And since no one else had the healing ability, the task fell to me. I had to be the one to end Kairos.

Just as Kairos had predicted, it would be me…

I had to convince Burton that I was on his team, and I needed Kairos to play along. I headed towards the pack’s prison, now heavily fortified both inside and out.

No one questioned the heightened security. They were all aware. The news had spread. They still pledged allegiance to their Alpha, but they knew he was in a bind.

Many didn’t dare to inquire about his fate or the pack’s future.

That was a relief, because I didn’t want to lie. The only truths I could utter wouldn’t do any good.

I stepped into the prison. The chill of the concrete and stone sent a shiver down my spine.

But a small fireplace provided a semblance of warmth in the otherwise grim surroundings.

The guards’ chatter ceased as I entered. Two of them shot me a glance, while the others kept their eyes trained on Kairos, just as I’d instructed. “Luna,” they acknowledged me.

Kairos gave me a feeble look before his gaze returned to the floor. He looked exhausted and sickly. His complexion was paler than I’d ever seen. But he looked better than before his imprisonment.

I assumed the sedatives were helping, since they prevented Christopher from wearing him out.

“I’m going to move the pack to Alpha Archibald’s. Go and bid your families farewell for now. You’ll be summoned back when I depart,” I informed the guards. They all exited with sighs of relief.

I knew the uncertainty was taking a toll on everyone. Guarding the unknown. It was a hollow existence.

I assessed Kairos’ condition. He was shackled and behind bars. But he wasn’t left on the cold stone floor. He had cushions, blankets, a bed, food, and drinks. He was still the Alpha.

He wasn’t a criminal. He was just…cursed. I cleared my throat. “How are you?” I asked. I knew his response wouldn’t be of much help, but I needed to hear him speak.

Or perhaps my insecurities wanted to hear his voice. Because I feared I might lose it forever.

“I’m not where I’m supposed to be,” he replied, and guilt washed over me.

“Kairos, I know this isn’t ideal or what we want, but please understand that we’re doing everything we can to get you out of here.”

I would have continued, but he was looking at me as if I was an idiot, his face twisted in disgust.

“You promised me that you would look after the pack,” he spat out, his voice laced with contempt.

I let out a whimper, like a frightened pup. “Kairos…,” I began, struggling to keep the heaviness in my chest at bay. He had never spoken to me like that before.

“I am doing everything I can to help the pack.”

“Then why am I not dead?!” he roared, the veins in his neck standing out.

How does one respond to a question like that?

“Why am I still alive after all those deaths? How could you keep me alive when so many lives have been lost because of me?” he bellowed.

“You didn’t do it!” I retorted.

“It doesn’t matter!” His shout faded, and he let his head fall back against the wall. “Don’t you understand? If I had the means, I would have done it myself.”

His voice was a hushed murmur. “Adelie, consider the others. You know he won’t stop here. Use your head. You’re smarter than this,” he implored, practically begging me to end his life.

“I need a bit more time,” I responded.

His gaze scrutinized me. “Do you know something?” he questioned, doubt lacing his tone. “Something more than before?”

“Possibly,” I admitted. “Death gave me a hint. Told me to seek the day of your birth…”

His eyes rolled heavenward. “Adelie,” he grumbled. “Think. We’re out of time for cryptic clues.” His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “It’s over,” he concluded.

“We might have a sliver of time left, but this is my last chance,” I managed to say. “Burton plans to kill you in two days.”

He seemed unfazed by this revelation.

“But I…I need to attempt something. Father suggested it.”

“Tell me,” he urged.

I was about to reach out to him but he halted me, extending his arm in a stopping motion and shaking his head. My breath hitched, but I didn’t want to drain him further.

I dropped to my knees, positioning myself across from him, the bars separating us.

“Burton will assume I’ll kill you, but instead I’ll try to extract your soul just enough to force Christopher out. And then…I can save you.”

He studied me, waiting for me to expand on my plan. I didn’t. He pursed his lips and gave me a sarcastic nod. “You can save me? Just like that? Because it’s just ~that~ simple?” he scoffed.

“No, it’s not,” he interjected before I could respond.

“Kairos…” He was already rejecting the plan without knowing all the details.

“I’ve been reading, Adelie. I scoured everything I could. While you were captive, I continued to read. Christopher can’t fully access my thoughts or actions when he’s absent.

“And I sought information. You can only transfer him to another person. And guess what, Adelie?” His voice was biting and harsh.

“Once I’m gone, he will possess the nearest person. I won’t let you risk that.”

As he spoke, a thought lodged in my mind. He had been researching while I was held captive. Only now did it dawn on me that he was frequently in and out of consciousness.

Why hadn’t he freed me sooner? I realized this wasn’t the best time to ponder that…

“Kairos, I want to try,” I insisted.

“And then what?” he challenged. “You know the curse doesn’t end there. Only the one who cursed me can lift it. Even if Christopher is gone, I’m still damned.”

I was taken aback that he knew this. “How did you find out?” I queried.

“Maeve told me. We searched together. Found nothing.”

“I thought she was captive?” I questioned. At that point, both she and Fala had been.

“She was. She escaped and freed Fala. Tried to reach you, but didn’t know your location. The pack threatened her. She assumed you had fled…or worse.”

I brushed aside our conversation and asked the question burning in my mind. “Why didn’t you free me sooner?” I demanded. “You were lucid at times… Why wait?”

“I wasn’t aware you were in the basement. When Christopher acts, it’s all a blur. I thought it was a dream. I didn’t recognize the route or that it was you.

“But then Maeve somehow heard about you.” He shrugged. “She discovered you were there. She informed me.”

“Christopher… Did you know she did that to you?” I questioned.

“Sort of… I mean, I was aware, but it wasn’t clear that she was the one who did it. She tried her best, though.” He didn’t sound angry or let down by her.

“I sent her away,” I confessed in a whisper. Kairos didn’t blame her, but I did. She was there. She was there when I wasn’t, and she saved me.

He gave me a disapproving look, but didn’t pursue the subject. “Adelie, once I’m free of Christopher, he vanishes…but the curse doesn’t stop there.”

“You’ll be rid of him. That’s a good thing. I just need a bit more time.”

“Once Christopher is inside you, the only way to remove him is to kill you. What’s your plan for that?” he asked.

“Kairos, we don’t actually need you to die… My dad can help move Christopher once your body is dead and your soul is gone. He can do that when you’re on the brink of death.”

He stared at me, his breaths slow and measured. “When you’re on the brink of death, you’ll see Death. He’ll grant you your final wish.

“You can’t ask to be saved yourself, but you can save me…and when I’m saved, I can heal you.”

“Save you? Won’t you be dying, too?” he asked. I knew that would be a sticking point for him. I had to deceive him. I had no choice.

“Not like that. You’ll ask Death to free me from Christopher. It’ll be simple, since the death angel part of me won’t blend with his soul. You’ll ask him to imprison Christopher, away from the world.”

There was so much he didn’t understand about my death soul or my powers. I was certain he believed me.

“That’s a matter of minutes, then,” he added, but his excitement had grown. Was he willing to try it? “You’re insane. Absolutely nuts if you think this will work,” he said, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

We lapsed into silence, his gaze finally meeting mine.

“So…what do you think?” I asked.