"Master, I did as you said," Darian said in a choked voice. "I saved kiri."
Good boy. Be at peace tonight, both of you. The being left, but the peace remained. Darian began to cry, and she held him tighter.
The chopper landed. Pierre hopped out and helped her and then Darian. They were at another discreet location, this one nestled between the peaks of two mountains. She darted off the landing pad with him, and the chopper went up again. The men on the small base drew their weapons at the sight of Darian. She took his arm, terrified they'd shoot the lost soul. Pierre led them to the empty, well-lit helicopter hangar, where several men crowded around a still body on the hangar floor. Her heart flipped when she saw him, and she sprinted forward.
"Damian!"
He was unconscious and pale. She dropped to his side and fluttered kisses across his face.
"Jule, what's wrong with him?" she asked, twisting.
"Poison," Darian croaked.
Jule's arm shot out to block the interloper's progress toward them. His mouth dropped open, and disbelief crossed his features. She hopped to her feet and shoved Jule's arm away, pulling Darian to the ground beside her.
"Darian, what is it?" she demanded. "Please tell me!"
He held his head and leaned into her, struggling. She took his face in her hands again, forcing his attention on her.
"Please, Darian!"
"Claire's … blood," he said at last.
"Claire … was meant to be his Oracle," Jule said hoarsely. He knelt beside them, staring at the horribly scarred man. "It's your blood, Sofia."
Horror descended upon her as she realized the depth of Claire's betrayal. Darian crouched beside his brother, studying him while emotions flew across his features. He placed his hands on Damian's face. Damian's body bucked. Darian moved away. Damian rolled onto his side and puked blood into the sand.
Sofia touched him, heart rejoicing. Dazed, Damian sat up.
"Kiri is safe," Darian said in a monotone voice.
Damian's head whipped around. The two brothers stared at each other, and she choked back a sob, joy and horror flying through her.
"Everyone out." Damian's voice was soft, but his command made everyone in the hangar jump. Jule pulled her to her feet and half-carried her out. He gripped her arms and turned her to face him. His gaze was unusually intense as he struggled to control his emotions. Jule embraced her, hugging her hard. She clung to him, overwhelmed.
"Here I thought I'd lost two people I cared about only to recover three," he said, hoarse. "If you weren't D's, I'd kiss you."
"Jule! We need to go!" Pierre's voice urged.