Chapter 40

“When you choose,” he continued with a single, cautious step toward Jim, “when you make any choice in your life, it must run its course. Those of the light fae understand this. We couldn’t interfere before now. Nathan made choices, you made choices, Jim, that left us with nothing. Even you,” he said with a steady gaze turned to Sasha, “had to make a choice. If you had left it to us, we could have rescued Nathan from the Veil without you ever having made that deal. The one who watches over him was ready, but…Malak knew you would not be able to wait.”

The relieved smile slipped from Sasha’s face, leaving behind a sudden sinking horror.

“Time out!” Nathan called, his hands making a prominent ‘T’. He gestured to the strangers with Malak’s face. “Who the hell are you? Why do you guys know them?” he whirled on Jim and Sasha, “and what the fuck is going on?”