Page 222 of May: Bloom & Bane

Lumi’s brow furrows.

“I started watching you,” he continues, his voice fading in and out. “It felt innocent at first. I just wanted to know you. Where you went. What kind of coffee you liked. The way you laughed when you thought no one was looking. I was guarding you, Lumi. Even back then.”

She takes a step toward him.

“Lumi, stay back,” Andrik growls, his hand twitching at his side.

Micah doesn’t take his eyes off her.

“But the need grew too loud. I wanted to be with you, but I wanted you to choose me. Mark… Mark wasn’t so patient. He saw me struggling and wanted to end it.” He sways, blood bubbling at the corner of his mouth. “He went to your apartment that night, on New Year’s Eve. He went to take you—to bring you to me like some sick, twisted gift. A reward for all the times I’d fixed his messes.”

Lumi shakes her head violently, covering her ears with both hands.

Where is this going? What am I missing?

“He didn’t know Anna would be there,” Micah whispers, tears slipping free. “He injected you to keep you quiet… but Anna woke up. She fought, and he panicked.”

His eyes fall to the ground.

“I didn’t know, Lumi. I swear I didn’t know.” Tears pour from his eyes. “When I found out—when he told me what happened—it was too late. I couldn’t⁠—” He sobs. “I had to protect you from him. From anyone who might hurt you. I couldn’t let you go. But I couldn’t have you either. Not after—” He collapses forward, and she moves instinctively, catching him before his face hits the ground.

Micah’s head tips to the sky.

“Anya...” he whispers. “I understand now. Please tell her... I’m sorry.”

Lumi’s brows knit together. “Who?” She asks. “Micah, Anna is dead. You know that.”

The trees begin to sway around us.

“No.” A small, peaceful smile spreads across his face, blood staining his teeth. “She’s not gone. She’s... waiting. Just on the other side of this forest. I’ll find her. I’ll make it right this time.” His eyes glaze over. “A—Anya...” he stutters, his eyes unfocused. “Anna... I’ll find you. Even in the meadow. Even in... Eden.”

No. No. Please no.

The riddle unfolds behind my eyes. Every line I couldn’t make sense of is suddenly black and white.

It all comes down to her.

Ashán. Sage reaches for me through the dark. Just stay with me. Therael is here now; we’re going to pull you out.

If I don’t belong to Eden, I don’t want to belong at all. It’s the last thought I have before a swirl of golden leaves begins to spin around me.

CHAPTER 64

the same hour

“You remember now.” Someone’s voice fills the clearing.

Snow freezes mid-air, each flake hanging suspended in time. The blue flames around the circle roar to life, climbing toward the sky, blue bleeding into a shimmering gold. A figure steps out of it—neither man nor woman, a shifting composite of light and shadow. I’d know that presence anywhere.

“Therael?” I whisper.

“Yes,” Andrik rasps. “We remember.”

Remember what?

Therael steps closer, and the godfire parts around him like water.

“You died that day, Caelen.” Therael’s gaze settles on Andrik. “Both of you did. The fall took you before your fingers could truly lace with hers.”