Chapter 744
Chapter 744:
“Yes, you can,” Lucian said. “Celeste is in a cell, but her ghosts are still out there. Do you want to sit in that chair while they shoot Skye p>
Julian roared and pushed himself up. He stood—five seconds. Then ten. His legs trembled violently, sweat pouring down his face, but he didn’t collapse.
“Good,” Lucian said. “Now take a step p>
Skye was in the fitting room at a bridal shop. Harper, who had been discharged from the hospital, fussed over the train of the dress.
“It’s beautiful, Skye,” Harper said, tearing up. “Even if it’s fake p>
“It’s armor,” Skye said, looking at herself in the mirror. The white silk flowed around her like water. She looked like a bride. She felt like a target.
“Did you hear about Felix?” Harper asked, blushing.
“What about him p>
“He asked me out,” Harper whispered. “For real. After this is over p>
“Say yes,” Skye said, smiling. “Life is too short p>
Liam was nowhere to be seen. But flowers kept arriving at the cathedral with specific instructions on placement—instructions that blocked sightlines from the upper windows. Skye knew it was him.
“Sector four clear,” Alistair said into his comms during the rehearsal.
“Copy,” Parker replied from the van outside. “Facial recognition is online. If anyone on the Syndicate watchlist shows up, we’ll know p>
“Beatrice is coming,” Alistair said, walking down the aisle. He looked dashing in his tuxedo, but he was checking the sightlines for snipers. “She insisted. Said she wouldn’t miss the ‘circus p>
“Let her come,” Skye said. “She’s part of the show p>
“That’s dark, mate,” Alistair said.
“I’m a dark person,” Skye muttered.
The night before the wedding, Skye couldn’t sleep. She sat on the terrace of the Vance Estate.
Th𝘰𝘂𝘴𝖺ոd𝘀 o𝘧 𝗻𝗈𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘀 𝗈ո 𝘣е.со𝗺
Julian rolled out.
“Nervous?” he asked.
“Terrified,” Skye said.
Julian locked the brakes on his chair. He took a deep breath and placed his hands on the armrests.
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up. He stood. He wobbled, but he didn’t fall. He leaned heavily on the railing, but he was upright.
He took two steps toward her.
“Julian!” Skye gasped, standing to catch him.
“I’m okay,” Julian said, holding up a hand. He stood there, tall and proud, the moonlight casting a long shadow. “I wanted you to see. I’m ready p>
“You’re amazing,” Skye said, hugging him.
“I’m standing for you, Skye,” Julian whispered into her hair. “Because you stood for me when I couldn’t p>
From the shadows of the garden, a figure watched them. Liam stood concealed in the treeline, his face obscured by a hood. He saw the hug. He saw the intimacy.
He gripped the tactical knife at his belt until his knuckles turned white. He knew it was necessary. He knew he was the monster in the dark so they could be in the light. But it still tore him apart.