Page 702 of Coal Hearts

If I had the choice to stop Henri’s torture and die with him...I would.

I would turn my back on my family and every jewel if it meant Henri would be free.

A wracking sob fell out of me as my eyes flickered open, and through the grimy gloss of tears, I watched a guard pull his foot back and kick Henri right in the jaw. In the forest of legs, Henri’s head snapped back, his body twitched, and then...nothing.

The guards all stopped.

The Masters didn’t say a word.

Henri didn’t move.

His chest didn’t rise.

His eyes didn’t open.

H-He’s dead...

What did that say about our connection that I didn’t feel him leaving me? How was he the missing piece of my soul if I didn’t feel that piece fly away?

I tried to crawl to him as the guards broke their circle and returned to an orderly line by the wall—some hunched and holding the many wounds Henri had given them, some ripping their shirts and wrapping makeshift bandages to staunch the stabbings he’d delivered.

Not one of them looked untouched.

Henri had managed to hurt every single one, and in return...they’d killed him.

Heavy breathing replaced the sounds of abuse.

No one uttered a word.

My skin prickled.

My heart ached.

Victor pushed away from the exit and prowled toward the ruined man on the ground. Sniffing and pulling out a pristine white handkerchief from his breast pocket, he toed Henri and wrinkled his nose. “I said stop him, not kill him.”

“Sorry, Sir.” One of the guards bowed his head. “We were only protecting you.”

“Yes, yes.” Victor wiped his handkerchief along his upper lip as if he already smelled the sickly stench of death. Glancing around the cave, he sighed heavily. “Well, tonight hasn’t gone as planned, has it?”

Larry stepped forward and tore off his mask. He grinned like the devil. “Least he’s been dealt with. Never liked that cocksucker.”

Victor didn’t reply. His eyes returned to Henri twisted and mangled on the cave rock. A flicker of annoyance followed by frustration etched his face. “I really wish you hadn’t killed him.” He raked a hand through his perfect greying blond hair. “I had plans for him.”

Plans?

Ice frosted my spine.

“Sorry, Sir,” a few guards muttered.

Victor’s reptilian gaze met mine.

I flinched and tried to look away, but his pure evil trapped me like a moth drawn to light. “Ilyana. You truly have a knack for avoiding the fate you deserve.” With a twist of his lips, he cocked his head and studied me. His eyes narrowed as if he only just realised how much I despised him. “I suppose you want to die now.” He pointed at Henri. “Now your little lover is dead?”

I choked on a sob.

My eyes fell back on Henri.

He still hadn’t moved, hadn’t breathed.