Word Count: 1643

~Millicent

I can feel Kyser's eyes on me.

We sit in my foyer, the fire flickering behind me being the only real light in the room. Sinful sits beside me, hand on my lower back, fisting the fabric of my dress. I can feel the tension; it's evident in his shoulders, his clenched jaw. What I mentioned to him in the shower last night have gone unspoken about since. He hasn't pressed me to explain, but my reluctance to admit the drawings is enough to have his suspicions raised.

He won't act on it, though. We need Kyser to get out of here. Right now, we have gathered, Kyser having decided he's figured out the exact magic to create a façade for someone to slip into, to take my place, so we are discussing what to do next.

"What is the magic going to do to you?" Ira questions toward Kyser, head titled, milky curls turning close to a blazing red colour from the embers burning in the fire behind her.

Sinful and I exchange glances.

Ira clearly has some kind of crush on Kyser, or she is at least trying to lure him into her bed the entire she has been here for another motive, but he hasn't shown any interest back. At least it's taking the attention of Kyser's sudden shift in relation to me. He hasn't made eye-contact since, nor even willingly spoke a word to me that isn't about the plan.

"I will be weak for a great amount of time. As will Millicent. I will have to harness some of her power for any of this to work," Kyser admits, keeping his gaze trained on Ira. "And of course, you immortals and your generous donations of power to free your Moon Goddess."

I hate the way he speaks in that cynical tone, making me straighten. "You never mentioned any of my power. How weak will I be."

Kyser doesn't even look at me. "As weak as a mortal."

Looking at Sinful, I search his face to see if he knew this. A shadow of fury lingers within his expression, but he doesn't speak on it. I have a feeling the moment we no longer need Kyser, Sinful will end him, regardless of whatever consequences may ensue. But right now, we need him for this, to get out of here. Until then, we are on his leash.

"After I was brutally murdered by that Pure-Blood's stupid mate, and brought back by Death, my power has never truly been the same. Forgive me if I can't offer so much," Ira offers sweetly, her tone dripping with malice. I narrow my eyes on her. I'm glad Fate's mate did that to her. She deserved it.

"Fine. We leave tomorrow. I will spend tonight mastering the magic. Our final element is to find someone to take Millicent's place," Kyser mutters.

Everyone's gaze lowers.

Micah disagreed to take the place, not wanting anything to do with this. He doesn't even want to leave the surface, still indebted to his creator, the Moon. So, we are left, with seven of us in the room. All immortals aside from Lucy, who lingers in the shadows, wary of the Sins who confidently lounge around my room.

"I'll do it. I'll take her place," Lucy breathes suddenly. I almost predicted it. Her selfless duty to protect me, no matter what. My gift from my mate, to care for me always. Everything that she has done is for me.

"No," I cut in immediately.

Lucy's expression remains impassive. "I'm not coming with you. I will stay, no matter what. Why not serve this last duty, to give me a purpose?"

It dawns on me then, that her offer isn't for me. I'm not sure what suggested it...her eyes, her tone. She wants to stay here for her lover, the one in the prisons. She's firm, unmoving in her offer. I have no other choice, even if I will miss her greatly, to hand her over. She has had no other life while she has been with me, other than being by my side. She needs this one thing.

"Fine," I relent. "As long as I receive a promise that no harm will come to her. If the Moon suspects anything, she will be the first priority.

Kyser waves his hand dismissively. "As you wish."

The group erupts into chatter between themselves, the conversation over. I murmur in Sinful's ear that I'm going to take a break in my room, alone, and that he should at least try engage with his siblings, who still don't trust him. I need time to think about my future, about leaving Lucy here and finding a new life on immortal ground...I can hardly believe it.

Closing my door firmly behind me, I fall flat against my bed. I'm exhausted. All this dealing with Immortals has drained me of everything I have. I just can't wait for me to be free of this world, these binds I have been in for so many years.

The door opening and closing behind me pulls me up into sitting position. I'm stunned to see that it's not Sinful like I expected, but Kyser.

My heart jumps into my throat.

"Finally, here to talk?" I offer, but my voice shudders. One look at what he had been hiding from me all this time has been enough to destroy any semblance of trust that was between us. He stares me down with those cold, milky eyes, which saw me before I even knew he existed. Just that thought sends shivers down my spine.

"Since we are going to be leaving this place together, we should probably sort out this tension, right?" he says, his tone light-hearted, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

Just the thought of being vulnerable, without my powers around Kyser has my throat drying out. Maybe he will be weak too, but he is always one step ahead, and much taller, broader and stronger than me, once we strip away all abilities.

"I just want an explanation," I admit.

Kyser sucks in a breath, looking as though he is tempted to come closer, to maybe sit next to me on my bed, but instead remains by the door. "It's not what it looks like. I don't have some kind of crazed obsession with you, if that's what you think."

I look away, focusing on anything else other than him. Admittedly, it was the first thought that came to my mind. Thus far, Kyser has shown no interest in me other than the slight jokes he makes to bother Sinful. But those drawings of me were uncomfortably intimate. So much so, that I would be nervous even showing them to my mate.

"Then what is it?" I question.

Kyser rubs the back of his neck. "I got instructions to do it from the Moon himself. I'm not sure why, but he wanted to observe you. That's it, I promise."

His admission has my stomach flipping over. Instead of having Kyser be his spy like he wished, Kyser is now helping us escape. Yet still, it doesn't make me feel any better, knowing this information. The Moon could be close to figuring out our plan.

"I'm sorry I did that, but I have a duty to the Moon too. Once we leave, you will be able to fully trust me, I promise. The moment we wake tomorrow, we will initiate this plan," he tells me assuredly, moving closer toward me. He tentatively sits next to me, concerned I'll lash out and show my mistrust.

"And then we are going to be tied to each other until we figure out how to end this all forever," I remind him, that one thought alone sinking my stomach into a pit of fear.

He nods. "I also think it might be best if you avoid your mate for a while."

"Why?" I question.

"Well Sinful is going to have a lot more power than us soon. You may think you can trust him, but can you?" Kyser asks, his tone low, worried my mate from the other room I might hear. I tilt my head, confused about where he is going with this. "We are going to need each other soon. You don't want to fall into a Sins trap. They are all the same."

I'm surprised he is swamping me with this. I knew things were tense between Kyser and Sinful, but not to the point where Kyser doesn't trust him. I suppose he's going to be exposed to Sinful's powers soon. So am I.

"Sinful wouldn't hurt me," I say warily. As much as I believe that, Kyser is sinking his claws into my biggest insecurity, that Sinful will manipulate me with his very strong, effective power.

Kyser seems to notice my skeptical expression. "You're feeling it already."

"Feeling what?" I swallow.

"You're finding it harder to keep yourself from him," Kyser notes, raising a dark eyebrow. Heat flushes right to my cheeks, as I realise he is referencing what he walked into just yesterday. "His powers are working on you already, whether he is intending it to or not. A lot is residual power that draws you in."

I don't know how to feel. "What are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting we need each other when we make it to the ground. You need to trust me, over anyone else," he tells me urgently.

I've never felt conflict like this. All I know is I can't trust anyone.

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