CHAPTER 157: In Death
RHEA
I spot him immediately inside the room when Marcella opens the door for me.
He stands on the opposite side, near the window, watching outside as I step inside. He looks different from what he used to. His hair’s shorter, he’s trimmed the beard down to stubble, and his clothes are different too.
The last time I saw him was when I rejected him. It felt like ages ago.
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“Cade,” I call his name and he turns, the surprise and disbelief evident in his face.
“Rhea…” He blinks a few times as if trying to confirm that I’m real. “You–you’re here.”
“Yes,” I answer. “Yes, I am here. How are you?”
“You died.”
My hand twists in front of me and I nod, “I did. I died, but then I came back. That was the whole point.”
“What do you mean?”
“The witch, the curse,” I explain, taking another step closer to him. “I told you about the magic that split me in two.” He listens, and I continue. “There were two of us, me and her, Rhea. And when she died, I rose.”
“So you are-”
“Her,” I answer. “Yes.”
“But–she died. The other one, your true form.” He questions.
“Yes, she did.”
“How is this possible?”
“Dark Magic. It is something I cannot speak about. Something no one knows. And you cannot speak of it to the council, you cannot tell them that I’m alive after they know that I died in that packhouse.”
He flinches like I struck him. I can see the confusion in his eyes, the disbelief that is written on his face.
“But-”
I step closer to him, “You can’t tell them about it. It is important, more than you know.”
“But why? The Council is here to protect-”
“The Council will kill me, Cade.” I finish his sentence and tell him the truth, and I see his eyes widen at my words. “I am born out of dark magic, and the council knows that it’s not meant to be, and if they find out about me, they’ll kill me. And I don’t know what will happen then.” My voice is pleading as my fingers curl into fists.
Cade’s gaze lingers on me, and for a moment it seems that I can see something else in his eyes, in him.
“You want me to keep it a secret?” His question comes quietly. “From the Council?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I’m not a threat to the council. I’m not a danger to anyone, you can believe that.” I assure him.
His breath shakes as he steps closer to me, “You’re different.” He says as his eyes search for the differences in my features. “The same but different.”
“Yes.” My voice is a little low.
Cade lifts a hand and it brushes over my hair for a moment. I see the confusion and disbelief on his face, but the hope in his eyes. He wants this. He wants me, even when he shouldn’t. Even after I rejected him.
“I won’t tell them.”
“Thank you,” My eyes meet his and he takes another step closer, the heat coming from his body seeping into mine. “And I need you to do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“There’s a woman.” I take a step back and Cade drops his hand from my face, and the warmth of it is gone. “Catelyn. She was Elias‘ wife, the former Alpha of the Blackfang pack.”
“I’m aware.”
“I need you to help me find her.”
Successfully unlocked!
“Why?”
“I just–I need it,” I say, voice catching slightly in my throat before I force it back down, lock it away. I really don’t want to tell him the reason why, especially after I told him that I’m not going to be a threat.
“You don’t have to explain,” he says after a moment, his voice softer now. “If you need her found, I’ll find her.”
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CHAPTER 157: In Death
“Please.” I plead. “It is very important to me.”
Catelyn was the one who killed me, the one who stabbed me and the reason that Rhea is now dead and that I’m alive in her place.
She has a debt to pay, and she’ll be the first one to pay.
She’ll regret what she did to us.
And there’s no one better who can find her than someone from the council itself. She has to be there, around those territories in the south. I know well that won’t ever come north or show her face here after killing me, so there’s no point in telling Kovas about it.
I’ve thought about this for days, and Cade is the perfect way to find her.
And kill her.
“I’ll look into it and let you know if there’s any news.” He agrees. “But what–are you staying here?”
“For a while, I’ve to. There’s no place safer for me than here.” I answer him honestly.
He looks around the room, and I see a hint of distaste on his face.
“Kovas is a good friend. He’ll keep me safe.”
“Are you sure about it?” he asks, “Because you can–you can come with me.”
“To the council?” I almost laugh before shaking my head. “I can’t be anywhere near that area or them. There’s no telling when they might find me and when they might kill me. I’m safe here, more than anywhere else.”
“I can keep you safe, too, Rhea.” His tone is softer, more pleading. “With me. You’ll be safe with me, and the council will not suspect you if they don’t even know of your existence. They don’t have to. You can come with me to my house.”
“Cade…”
“I’ll give you everything you want. Everything you ask of.” His voice grows firmer. “I promise.”
“I can’t. It’s too much of a risk, and too much to ask from you. Especially after-”
“You rejected me.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say to him. “But I hope you can understand.”
His face changes, the softness, the pleading look is gone as he nods. He stands straight, his gaze cold again as he agrees.” Right, right. I understand. It is a lot to ask. And I can only help so much. So I will try to find Catelyn and I will get in touch with you soon.”
He doesn’t sound hopeful.
But he’ll help, he’ll help.
I know he will.
“Thank you.”
He pauses in the doorway, eyes lingering on me like he wants to say more but knows better.
“Take care of yourself, Rhea.”
With that, he leaves the room and Marcella, who’s still outside, escorts him out of the house. When he’s gone, I sit down and release a breath I’ve been holding.
I suppose I just have to be very careful and patient. For now.
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