Exiled

Chapter 25

"Enya!" I cried out, my voice cracking as I watched the life bleed out of her, the vibrant light in her gorgeous blue eyes dimming with each breath.

"Im trying to heal her but its not working!" Raven's voice trembled, panic evident in her every word. Desperation filled her eyes as she chanted the spell over and over again, her hands shook uncontrollably. Ezekiel had already tried using his blood, but it was clear now—she was too far gone.

"Enya, I'm so sorry!" I choked out, tears streaming down my cheeks like an ocean of regret. "This is all my fault, I should have never involved you or anyone else in this, I should have just handled it myself. Kane only targeted you because of me!"

"Alt..." her voice was a delicate whisper, barely escaping her lips. "You didn't pull us into anything, we chose to fight with you because we're family." She smiled weakly, but was tinged with pain. "Remember when you and Calluna found me on that roof?"

"Of course I remember." I replied, forcing a smile in return, though my heart was in pieces.

"I wanted to die because I felt like I had nothing to live for. But now... Im dying because I had everything to fight for." Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "You taught me to fight, Altiair, you told me that things get greater later, and they did... please remember that when I'm gone."

"No! You're not going to die! You can't die!" I shook my head violently, disbelief washing over me like a wave. After everything she's been through, this cant be how it ends.

"Promise me—promise me you'll remember that'" her grip on my hand tightening, though, I could feel her strength dwindling. I glanced down at her trembling fingers, wishing I could trade places with her, anything to keep her here—anything to save her.

"I promise"

"I love you, all of you..." she managed to say before her grip slackened, her eyes fluttering shut. A haunting tranquility settled over us as her body went limp, the warmth slipping away.

"No!" Calluna's scream broke the silence, av wail of pure anguish.

"I tried to save her, I thought she was safe" Avian voice cracked, and then he dropped to his knees beside her.

"I know Avian... I Know" I stood up, wrapping him in a tight embrace, feeling everyone else join in—creating a broken circle of shared grief. Even Ezekiel and Juru, who stood awkwardly at the edges, wore expressions of sorrow.

As the weight of our loss pressed down on me—weakened me, I felt Ezekiel step forward, surprising me with a hug. My eyes widened in shock but I returned the hug, it offered an odd comfort in the midst of trauma.

"I didn't really know her, but I know you cared about her. She was your family." Ezekiel said softly in a low but steady voice. "I know the pain of losing someone you care about all too much." Juru nodded, his expression a mix of anger and sorrow.

"I'm sorry. I should've fought harder. I should've ripped the hearts out every one of them the moment they stepped through that door!" Juru's voice was thick with frustration. I could tell was using his anger as a shield, to mask the vulnerability that threatened to consume him.

In that moment, my sadness transformed into a scorching fire of rage and determination. I could feel it coursing through me.

"When I find Kane, he will suffer!" I said in a low but dangerous voice. "He's taken too much away from me! I'm going after him, and I'm going alone!"

Everyone looked at me in shock, concern etched across all their faces.

"No the hell you won't!" Raven snapped.