Jethro hadn’t been easy to love. He’d been the cause of my sister’s pain, my hard childhood. He’d been…difficult. But he’d also been the most loyal, loving, coolest brother I could’ve ever asked for.

He’d earned forgiveness for his issues. And I liked to think I’d played my part in helping him become a better person—a person who could live an easier life with his condition.

My time was over; my existence almost done.

And although I was sad to go, I wasn’t afraid.

Because I existed.

And because I existed, I could never un-exist.

I would move on. I would transcend. I would grow and change and magnify to the point of whatever new experience awaited me. I would see those I loved again but not for a while.

And that was okay, too.

So I waited in my in-between world, listening to silence, hovering in nothingness, just waiting for the right time. I didn’t know how I would know. I didn’t know why I waited. But something kept me tethered to a world I no longer belonged to.

Until one day, I felt it.

The snip.

The silence turned to sublime music, the nothingness turned to warmth, and contentment blanketed with permission to leave. I knew he would be okay. I knew she would be okay. The family who persevered would be okay.

My father was dead.

Bonnie was dead.

Daniel was dead.

Evil had finally perished in my house.

And Jethro no longer needed me.

It took no effort, not even a sigh or conscious thought.

I just…let…go.

He had her.

He had her.

He had his very existence.

Nila would be there for him now.

He no longer needed my help.

I smiled, sending love to both of them, goodbye to everyone, and so long to a world that’d been briefly mine.

Jethro has found his reason for breathing.

It was time for me to find mine.

Goodbye…

JETHRO CAME FOR me at daybreak.

His icy touch woke me, trailing over my cheek to my lips.

I’d waited for as long as I could. I’d remained vigil by the window, imploring him to return. I’d paced thick grooves into the carpet, forcing myself to stay awake.

But I’d failed.

Jasmine left around midnight, and my body shut down soon after. Even opening the window and enduring the chilly gale couldn’t fight sleep from claiming me.

After the fourth stumble and micro nap almost plummeting me to the floor, I reluctantly climbed into bed and slipped instantly into dreams. Good dreams. Bad dreams. Dreams of death and destruction then love and liveliness.

“Nila…”

His voice slinked around my soul, yanking me from slumber and delivering me directly into his control. My eyes shot wide, drinking him in. The dawn light barely illuminated my room, shyly warming the carpet and windowsill with promise of a new day.

I sat up on my elbows, cursing the sudden swirl and lack of sleep fogging my reflexes. For a moment, I couldn’t see him, then his form solidified beside me.

Physically, he was in one piece. Tall and strong. Vibrant and majestic.

He stood silently, gazing intently. His eyes became fireworks in the gloom, sparking over my skin.

My gaze fell from his strained face over his chiselled chest to his half-hard cock. He stood naked. Not in a sexual manner but stripped back, bared¸ undressed and nude. Laying his horror, harrowing evening, and every haggard emotion at my feet.

His skin gleamed a white alabaster—looking as if he’d become a nocturnal being, an immortal monster.

Tears leapt to my eyes, understanding the brink of where he stood. He’d done things he wasn’t proud of. He’d done things he was proud of. And ultimately, he’d come to me with nothing, leaving the past behind, asking me to forgive, forget, and help grant absolution he so desperately needed.

Sitting higher in bed, I nodded at his silent requests.

Why is he wet?

His discarded, sodden clothes stained the emerald carpet; his chest rising and falling as if he’d run a marathon. His eyes were wild. His hair wet and tangled. And his smell spoke of everything he’d done and done alone.

Copper for blood.

Soot for fire.

Metal for weapons.

And salt for sadness.

We didn’t speak.

He was on the precipice of breaking.

I was the strong one in this dawn-lit moment. I was the one who had to save him.

I’ve got you.

Soaring upward, I scrambled out of the covers and kneeled before him. Silently, I wrapped my arms around his quaking shoulders. I’d removed the sling before falling asleep and my cast rasped against his soft skin.

I hadn’t taken my shift off and the iciness of his body thawed into mine, delivering snow storms and blizzards the longer I held him.

He’s so cold.

I hugged him harder, begging him to respond.

But he just stood there, trembling, shivering, his breath scattering hot and cold into my hair as I nuzzled against his chest. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here.”

Pressing warm lips against his frigid shoulder, I crawled on my knees closer to his marble-like form.

A gasp escaped him as I smoothed back his hair, kissing my way up his neck to his ear. “You’re with me now. Feel how much I love you. Concentrate on how happy I am that you’re back.”

I never stopped kissing him, stroking him, willing him to come back to life. “Jethro, focus. Forget everything. Let me in.”

Suddenly, his back bent, and he sagged in my hold. His arms flew around me, crippling me against his hard muscles. I didn’t speak, but his soul screamed for help.