Chapter 40: Chapter Forty

Genesis

My heart was shattering, breaking over and over again in my chest. It was hard to breathe.

Watching Cassius with Stephanie — it was like I could feel his pain, his agony as he watched her skip off — knowing that she would never remember him.

And things suddenly made sense. Why Stephanie was drawn to him. Why she loved him.

Why he pushed her away.

When all he wanted was to hold her close.

Tears streamed down my face at Cassius’s helplessness.

Ethan looked absolutely dejected, his eyes black as he swallowed and gripped Cassius’s hand.

It seemed, in the end, peace had been made between them. But who was I to decide? I loved Ethan, but I wept for Cassius, for what he’d gone through.

I’d always been told Dark Ones had no capacity to love.

I’d been taught wrong.

Sariel, on the other hand, clearly had no heart — to put his son through that, to watch that and still ask me to choose who lived and who died.

I knew balance had to be restored.

It was my bloodline that had ruined everything in the first place. Ara had been selfish, and her selfishness had caused a split between our races.

But her selfishness had also caused a Dark One to love. And I couldn’t be mad at her for that.

“Time’s wasting,” Sariel said in an irritated voice. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just assume you wish for me to eliminate both of them.”

“I love Ethan,” I whispered. “But does that mean Cassius doesn’t also deserve to live?”

“This has nothing to do with what Cassius deserves or your feelings for Ethan.” Sariel pushed me forward. His feathers brushed against my skin. “This is logic, pure and simple.

“Two plus two does not equal three. For humanity’s sake… for the sake of the immortals and keeping both races thriving… a life must be taken.”

I trembled.

“You think me evil.” Sariel’s voice was so cold, so detached. “But this isn’t evil. This is life and death.

“This is the most simple fact about both worlds—something that unites us, despite our differences.”

“What about yours?” I asked. “What if I spilled your blood?”

Sariel’s eyebrows shot up. “Interesting. You’d spill my blood to save them?”

“Yes.”

“Impossible. But brave.”

“A girl has to try.”

He held out the purple feather. “Take it and make your choice.”

My hands shook as I took the feather between my fingertips. How could something so soft be so deadly? The tip was pointed, like a knife.

“I love you.” My eyes filled with tears as I looked up to Ethan. “You know that. You hear my heart.”

“Genesis…” His eyes flashed. “Whatever you’re thinking—don’t. I can’t live without you, but you can live without me.” His voice cracked.

“Cassius will take care of you, Alex, Mason…” His eyes pleaded with mine as a red and blue tear slipped down his cheek.

“I’ll always be with you.” His hands reached out toward the feather, but Cassius moved him out of the way.

“I was the one who did wrong,” he said in a strong voice. “I deserve punishment.” His face cracked into a smile. “And I cannot love.” His nostrils flared. “Even if I want to.”

“But you did,” I argued.

“In the past.” Cassius’ eyes turned black. “And now I feel nothing.”

“Lie.” My voice was hoarse.

His breath hitched as he reached for the feather, his fingertips grazing the edges of it. “Genesis, stay with your mate.”

Sariel hissed out a breath next to me.

“Sometimes it’s best,” I held the feather out. “To love for a moment than to never experience it.”

“Genesis!” Ethan moved toward me just as Cassius reached for the stem of the feather.

I stumbled backward.

And pointed the edge directly into my own chest.

“No!” Ethan roared.

Sariel turned his back to both men, covering me with his wings as I fell slowly back, my heartbeat slowing in my chest until I didn’t feel a beat anymore.

Sariel’s face broke out into a smile as his wings blanketed my fall to the ground.

His forehead touched mine, and with a brief touch of his mouth against mine, he whispered, “Fear is not welcome here.”

“Not afraid,” I choked out.

“I know.” His eyes blazed white. “There is no greater sacrifice than laying down one’s life for the life of a friend.”

The room flashed white.

And I knew I was dead.