Destin POV
"Macy." Her name is a growl on my lips. "Open the fucking portal."
She huffs in frustration. "Don't you think I am trying? You aren't the only one with a mate on the other side."
A crowd has gathered where the portal used to be. It has been a little more than a day, but who knows how long it has been for Wren? With the portal completely closed, time will move differently between the realms. Macy has been working nonstop to reopen it, but not even her magic is working.
Dark circles surround her eyes. She is exhausting her magic trying to open the portal, and needs rest, but I am too selfish to tell her that. Lowering her hands, she sinks back into Edward's arms. He is the only thing keeping her on her feet.
"You can try again tomorrow," he whispers.
She shakes her head. "No. I have to open it."
Charlie is sprawled out on the ground, staring at the sky. He has been blaming himself for what happened. "Selene closed it. No one will be able to open it. Not without making a deal."
I know he is right. This has Selene's dirty fingerprints all over it. Wren wouldn't choose between us, so Selene took us both away from her. I fear the only way to open it is to make a deal with Selene. I am not ready to do that and Macy has already given up enough. Still time is running short.
When I woke up this morning, the runes on my arms began fading. Now, they are almost gone. Only a faint outline remains. The bond between us all is failing.
"I am taking Macy back to the palace." Edward's tone leaves no room for argument. He won't lose his mate to appease me. "I suggest you get some sleep as well."
Macy sags lifelessly as he carries her through the forest. A pang of guilt consumes me. I pushed her too hard. Lying down beside Charlie, I wait for him to say something to fill the silence of the Immortal Realm.
"She is dying," Charlie whimpers.
My head jerks to the side. "What?"
"Rolfe is sure of it," he continues. "She is dying, and there is nothing we can do about it."
"Maybe your wolf is just feeling the bond fade between us." I try to make excuses. "That doesn't mean she is dying."
"Maybe," Charlie replies, but he doesn't sound certain.
Werewolves can feel when their mate is dying through the bond. Rolfe would know that feeling better than most because he has felt the death of a mate before. I have no reason to doubt him, but I refuse to let it happen. There is another who can open the portal.
Getting to my feet, I push off the ground and take flight. I do not know where Onyx lives, but I have an idea. Night is beginning to fall over the Immortal Realm. I fly over the tree tops and gaze down at the flickering lights that are beginning to appear. The Gray Creatures come out at night.
The edge of the forest is in view. I land beyond the trees, and steady my beating heart. I burned it to the ground, yet here it stands. The cabin that I built for Arabella and me. It is exactly as I remember.
A light shines brightly in the window, and I can see Onyx moving around inside. She stops in front of the window and peers out before closing the curtains.
"Onyx," I shout through the door. "You know why I am here."
"I won't do it," she yells back. "I am not the Queen of this realm."
"But you carry the royal bloodline," I remind her. "And you carry the forbidden magic of a Gray Creature. If anyone can open the portal, it is you."
The door to the cabin creaks open, and her black eyes glow in the dark. "Has Macy tried?"
"Macy has exhausted her magic. She can't do it."
"She will be strong enough tomorrow," Onyx whispers. She is afraid.
"Wren is dying," I blurt out. "I don't have until tomorrow. I have no right to ask you for a favor, but I am. I am begging you as your father. Help me."
Onyx shuffles awkwardly. "What if I break it?"
"I don't think that is possible," I laugh nervously. "But if you do, I am sure you can repair it."
"You have too much faith in me," she whispers. "I am not my mother."
"No," I smile. "You are better than she was."
She closes the door behind her and spreads her black wings behind her. "If we get caught, I am telling them this was your idea."
"I would expect nothing less," I snort.
She takes flight heading in the direction of the portal, and I follow. She is fast. Faster than I expected, and I struggle to keep up with her grueling pace. I am only able to catch up when she lowers herself in front of Charlie.
Her head tilts to the side as she studies him on the ground. I know she is venturing into his mind. Her breath hitches in her chest, and I know she has spoken to Rolfe. It is true. Wren is dying, and Onyx is my only hope to open the portal.
Stepping around Charlie, Onyx slices open the palm of her hand and places it against the sky.
"By blood and breath I sever the sky,
Between roots and ruin I call.
Let the path of shadow split,
And the veil bleed open for me."
Her black fingernail digs into the sky and slips downward. Onyx screams as her blood smears against the sky, creating a portal.
"Stop," I shout, as her darkened skin pales.
Tears stream down her face. "Dark magic has a cost. I am willing to pay it. It is what Selene wants. I am Arabella's child. The last one in the bloodline that betrayed her. Her vengeance can end with my death."
"No!" I scream.
This is why Macy couldn't get the portal open. Selene demanded a sacrifice. I should never have asked this of Onyx.
Her body begins to shake as she struggles to hold the portal open. Grabbing her arm, I try to pull her away, but the magic of the portal is consuming her.
"Onyx," I whisper. "I didn't know."
She smiles weakly. "I did."
I hold her hand as the magic is drained from her body. The portal solidifies behind her, and she falls to the ground. I hold her body against my chest as the light fades from her eyes. Selene knew there would be a choice. Onyx knew there would be, and she gave herself to Selene so I could live with my mate.
"What have you done?" Macy shrieks as she bursts through the trees.
I cradle Onyx close to my chest. "Onyx gave herself to open the portal. She did what the rest of us couldn't. Selene's price has been paid."