22. Caliel

22

Caliel

The monster wanted liberation.

So did I. I needed to be set free from this crazed situation in which I found myself—I wished to walk and talk and fly in my own body.

Every metaphorical fiber of my being ached to hold Bree.

But none of that was possible. And as if I did not have enough issues, I had another problem that I could not solve. Because the monster was not interested in forming a partnership.

It wanted it all.

When Cara had awakened the Ice Drake, I had been powerless against it. So had the Watcher.

And then Riggs had stepped in with that accursed sword.

Until then, I had been so weak I had barely been able to form a coherent thought, and a large part of me had been content to fade away. To opt out from the pain of watching her grow ever closer to the ex-Dragon prince.

Then, the sword flooded me with power, and I used it to build a wall around the monster. Far from an easy feat, as it tore the barrier down almost as soon as I put it up. But with the sword's help, I managed it.

For now.

Problem was, it was not going to last. If I continued to weaken, it would eventually break free. And that meant that Bree's only chance to beat it was Riggs—and the accursed sword.

I could not protect her from the monster forever, but maybe he could. And as possible heroes went, he wasn't as egregious as many. In another time or place, I might have even considered him friend material.

After all, that sword had a history of being selective. I might be well advised to heed it.

So now I gritted my metaphorical teeth and ignored, as best I could, Bree's time with Riggs. I knew where it was heading and was powerless to stop it.

Perhaps I did not have the right to do so.

Fate was a powerful adversary.

My destiny was likely preordained, as well. I had no idea how long I could hold on. Because the fading issue was real. The crystals and the sword were merely staving it off, for now.

But if I gave in to it before Riggs was ready to protect her, the monster would break free.

It would consume her. And then Bree would know what it was like to be imprisoned within another.

I would die, again, before I let that happen.