Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy, #5)

by Caroline Peckham

My mind twisted around and around as we ran on, and I cursed the stars out with everything I had. But why was I doing that? Hadn’t I made my mind up about this? Hadn’t I already made the only decision I could?

“I’m sorry I did this to us,” I breathed.

I might not have been sure everything between us was fixed yet, but I was beginning to believe it could be and I was starting to think I’d made the wrong choice when I’d been offered it.

“It wasn’t you,” he replied, pain flickering though his gaze. “It was both of us,” I disagreed, tears mix...

The day of reckoning had come for us, and I’d realised how terribly un-fucking-prepared I’d been to lose her.

It didn’t help that Darius punched himself in the face every time he remembered to be pissed at me.

If my own life had to be a casualty for that to happen, I was more than willing to sacrifice it. Even if I was going to pine for her for the rest of my days. Miss her with the very essence of my soul and ache for her until the world stopped spinning. I would stay here, and I would suffer willingly to do what was best for her. And someday she’d understand why.

But asking could open myself up to a world of destruction I wasn’t ready for. Because if Blue was moving on, I was going to have to accept that. And despite the fact that it was what I knew needed to happen, I was still terrified of the day when it was confirmed. Because I knew it was going to destroy me.

The Dragon in me rose to the surface of my skin as I instantly recognised the value of it, and I had to work damn hard not to snatch it and growl mine at the whole room.

“Everything you know and love burning. Chaos and carnage. The end of all you seek. The rise of The Devil.”

And I refused to let him hurt Roxy or her sister while I still drew breath.

“Hey, let’s prank someone else, what about that hat boy?” Caleb suggested excitedly, bouncing in his seat and Seth started yipping like a puppy beside him. The two of them were weirdly cute sometimes.

“Fuck – no – have to help her.” Caleb clutched his stomach as he laughed, waving a hand at me in apology. “It’s not funny – can’t stop.”

“Everyone’s coming?” I breathed in surprise as I climbed onto the window ledge. “Of course they are,” Darius growled firmly and my heart squeezed at that.

The way the stars had let things fall into line for him to allow all of this to come to pass. Why did they favour him and curse us?

If you used your brain for like 2 secs you would realize that you're the royal sacrifice

“It’s alright, I won’t let her have you,” he growled, his eyes shining with that promise and giving me an inch of hope to hold onto.

But I didn’t want power. I never had. Not like that. What I craved was love. Family. The kinds of things you couldn’t just take and had to earn.

Darius was savage, brutal, vicious, broken and mine. And in that moment, I had no desire for the darkness in him to ever let up. I wanted him. Every damaged, depraved, dirty piece of his soul was made to fit with all the twisted, ruined parts of my own. And if the stars didn’t like it then I’d happily climb up into the sky and tear them all down for him.

And when Vampires weren’t running, they could be caught by sneaky Wolves.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I said breathlessly, and he nuzzled into my head. “You too,” he whispered against my cheek as more tears escaped me.

There was only one enemy that mattered, and it was time we defeated him. Together.

I’d do anything for the love of my sister. And I’d do anything to protect him too.

“I’ll tear the world down for her, but we can’t win tonight.”

If you did happen to throw your kindle/paperback/hardback/cat/husband/grandmother’s urn against the wall in pure fury then it’s time to gather up the scattered ashes of your soul, check the pieces of your reading device are still intact and just remember, all is well that ends well. Hopefully.