Chapter 70: Chapter 70

ADELIE

Things were terrible. Kairos knew everything now, but it didn’t change the fact that everything was still terrible. I had hoped to keep him in the dark until things improved.

But now, I wasn’t so sure they ever would.

I had thought that by healing others, I could somehow shield myself from the pain. But that wasn’t the case.

This was a new kind of pain for me. It felt like what I imagined being burned alive would feel like.

The pain was bearable now. But that didn’t mean I felt better. Everything else inside me felt shattered. I felt worthless.

I felt numb, except for the pain.

I wasn’t lying when I said I’d wait months for Esty. I truly would. Maybe it would all be worth it in the end?

But if it wasn’t, I didn’t think this could be considered a noble death. I hadn’t done anything.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as I lay there in my sweat-soaked sheets.

Kairos was often by my side, but every now and then, he’d have some sort of epiphany and leave, only to return looking disappointed.

I was certain it had to do with me. He was trying to figure out how to help me, or maybe how to find Esty, but he was failing.

Now was one of those times when he was gone. The paralyzing dose was wearing off and the pain was intensifying. The doctor should be here any minute.

I turned my head to look out the window. The weather was awful. It was daytime, but it was dark and rainy.

This wasn’t the view I wanted while I lay here, helpless. I wanted to see sunshine, rainbows, and bright light. I wanted to feel happiness. I wanted to live.

Suddenly, a dark shape darted past my window. A bird. Or something else. I just lay there, watching.

The door opened and I expected to see the doctor, ready to alleviate my pain. But it wasn’t the doctor. It was someone far more exciting, and at this moment, far more comforting.

“Esty!” I called out, surprised by the strength in my voice. She looked flushed, as if she’d been running.

“Oh,” she said, glancing at me and the medical equipment by my bed.

“I heard Melanie was looking for me. I guess she had a good reason.”

I had no idea who Melanie was or what she had to do with my situation.

Esty began to move quickly. She removed her coat and a bag that was slung over her shoulder. It looked packed with all sorts of things.

“I didn’t think the dose would affect you so quickly. I planned to finish this in a few months, not right after the first time,” she said, her hands shaking as they moved about clumsily.

She approached me and yanked the IV tube from my arm. “We don’t have much time. They’ll be after me soon,” she said, and for the first time, I saw genuine fear in her eyes.

“What’s happening?” I asked her.

Without warning, she injected something into my neck. Had she given me the same thing again?

“We need to leave so I can make you shift before you die,” Esty said.

“I can’t,” I said, looking down at my body that seemed to have sunk into the bed.

She came to my side and helped me up.

“That’s why I injected you with a little adrenaline. But if we don’t leave now, you won’t make it,” she said, and I could feel a surge of energy coursing through me.

“What do you mean, I won’t make it?” I asked her.

“I gave you enough adrenaline to kill a healthy person. You’re not healthy. If it stays in your system too long, your heart will explode,” she explained as I managed to stand.

“And you did that? You don’t care if I survive at all?” I asked her.

She guided me out into the hallway.

“Do you honestly believe I’d do this if I wanted you dead?” she retorted.

“By ‘this’, I mean you wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice me if it meant getting what you want,” I clarified, my voice steady. I didn’t care about the consequences of my words anymore.

“If you’re willing to kill an innocent person just to gain the fame of capturing me—a wolf—then you can’t possibly value my life. You must think my life is worthless.”

“Haven’t I made it clear what matters to me?” she shot back.

I knew what she valued, of course. I just wished she’d show a bit more compassion, considering I was on the brink of death.

“Why do you need this?” I asked as we ascended the staircase.

“Why isn’t your life enough all of a sudden?” I continued, ignoring the pain that had previously consumed me. Now, I felt nothing.

I felt stronger—almost normal—except for the rapid pounding of my heart. That couldn’t be a good sign.

“It’s never been about what’s good enough for me. But when there’s someone you want to provide a better life for, sacrifices have to be made.

“I saw you as an opportunity and I seized it. You can give me the fame and respect I need to survive in this harsh world where witches are despised and belittled.

“I don’t want my daughter to endure the life I’ve had. I want her to live safely. I want people to see her as normal, not some monstrous mistake that should be dead,” she explained.

“You have a daughter?” I asked, taken aback. She’d never mentioned anyone other than herself. She didn’t strike me as the maternal type.

“Yes, and everything I do is for her. To give her a better life. You loved your mother. You should appreciate everything she did for you and your sister,” she said, but one word echoed in my mind.

“I don’t have a sister,” I corrected her.

Her expression revealed that she knew something I didn’t. Something I should know.

“Your parents did everything they could to protect you both in the best way possible, even if it meant keeping you apart. You have a twin sister somewhere in the world.”

We continued walking, but it felt like I was floating, my mind drifting elsewhere.

“A twin?” I had a twin sister? How was that possible? Why hadn’t I ever known about her? My parents had never hinted at the existence of another child.

“Yes, but it wasn’t my place to tell you,” she admitted.

I wanted to press her for more information, but then I heard Kairos calling my name.

“Adelie,” he shouted, rushing towards me.

Hearing Kairos approach, Esty began rummaging through her bag.

“I need you to cooperate with me and convince him. Please!” she pleaded.

Thinking quickly, I ran towards Kairos, intercepting him. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me approaching.

“Kairos, stop!” I yelled, but he didn’t listen.

I noticed other fighters heading our way, but I assumed they were targeting Esty.

“You can walk? Are you okay?” He finally halted, his gaze darting between me and Esty.

“I’m… she’s working on it. I believe she can make me shift.”

His hopeful expression faded.

“Now?” he asked. “Can’t it wait?”

I didn’t know how to respond. Should I tell him I was dying if she couldn’t?

“Is that Esty?” he asked, realizing he wouldn’t get an answer to his previous question.

I nodded, and he signaled the other fighters to stay back.

He approached Esty, who turned to face him, holding a large syringe filled with a black liquid.

Kairos looked uneasy. “What’s that for?” he asked her.

“She has to transform. Immediately!” she insisted, her forehead glistening with perspiration.

“She’s okay. She doesn’t need to gamble with her life for your entertainment,” he retorted.

“Have you lost your mind?” she shot back. “I’ve given her an adrenaline shot. If she doesn’t transform, her heart will burst.”

Kairos turned to me. I could feel my heart pounding at an alarming rate.

“Why the hell would you do that?” he yelled at her.

“Would you prefer she endure agony?” she yelled back.

“I’d prefer we find a way for her to survive!” he shouted, and a hush fell over us.

He didn’t think I’d make it. Could I blame him when I didn’t believe it myself?

“She’ll survive,” Esty said calmly, stepping toward Kairos.

“I suggest you believe that too. I’m sorry for pushing her this far, but I don’t regret giving her something to fight for.”

“You’re a monster for forcing her into this,” he spat at her.

“Alpha! The sooner, the better,” someone shouted from behind us. It was Maeve, signaling to Esty. “She needs the injection now!”

Kairos looked at me and I nodded, feeling my heart thumping wildly. He rushed back to me, kissed me quickly, and cradled my face in his hands. He rested his forehead against mine.

“I don’t want to see you on the other side. I want to see you back here. Do you understand?” he asked, and I nodded.

I didn’t want to die either. I didn’t want to wait for him in the afterlife. I had to fight through this. But it wasn’t just for him that I needed to survive.

I couldn’t let all this be in vain. I was worth more than just dying in the attempt.