Page 118 of Four Promises to Love

“No.” Panic gave Finn back her voice. “The idea is madness, Caleb. You’ll be headed to your own grave and taking everyone with you.”

“Whatever happens, Hawks fly together,” he declared. “We’ll return to London and strategize our attack. Who is with me?”

In horror, Finn watched as Simon raised his hand. Nell did the same.

“Tansy?” Caleb prompted.

Tansy shook her head, moving closer to Finn.

“Please don’t do this,” Finn pleaded. “I know I’ve let you down, but you’ll get yourselves killed and Iris too⁠—”

“Collect your things, Hawks.” Caleb cut her off. “We’re leaving.”

“No, listen to me. You’re making a mistake! I’m begging you⁠—”

Finn tried to bar the path, but Caleb shoved her aside and strode out. Not meeting her eyes, Nell and Simon followed him.

Finn stood there numbly. It took her a moment to register that Tansy was pulling on her sleeve. The girl’s gaze was wide and worried; she’d never looked so young—so lost.

This is all my fault. I’ve let everyone down. The Hawks—they’re going to die because I failed.

“What do we do now?” Tansy whispered.

“I-I don’t know.” Finn’s eyes filled with helpless tears. “God help me, I don’t know.”

Finn hadn’t meant to fall asleep—hadn’t thought she could, with the fears swirling in her head. But Tansy needed rest, so she’d spread blankets in the cleanest corner. Tansy was soon dozing, and Finn sat beside her, resting her head against the wall and intending to keep watch. Yet her eyelids grew heavy, her head lolling as exhaustion claimed her.

She didn’t know what made her open her eyes—if it was a noise or simply a feeling. But she found herself staring at a familiar figure. As beautiful as ever, Rose glowed with otherworldly light, her hair rippling as she came closer.

Finn rubbed her eyes, and Rose was still there.

“Am I dreaming?” she whispered. “Or is this a vision?”

“Does it matter, my dear?” Rose replied. “I am here.”

“But you haven’t been.”

Finn bit her lip; she hadn’t meant to sound accusing.

“You had to find your own path.”

“I could have used your help.”

“I did what I could. I warned you the last time, didn’t I?”

We both lose what we love to save it.

“I’ve lost everything.” A tear escaped, sliding down Finn’s cheek. “I tried to rescue Iris and to protect Owen’s family. But I failed at both. Now Caleb took Nell and Simon to face Carver—and they’ll end up in Carver’s clutches just like Iris. They won’t listen to me. There is nothing I can do to stop them.”

“No,” Rose agreed. “They’ve made their choice.”

“And Owen.” For the first time since his rejection, Finn let down her defenses and allowed herself to feel the agony of the loss. “He…he despises me. And I cannot blame him. I did lie to him about my true purpose. I did pretend to be something that I am not. But the one thing I didn’t lie about was…” Her voice caught in a sob. “I love him, Rose. With all my heart. He’s everything I could ever want, and I would have given anything to be with him—but I had to protect Iris and the Hawks too.”

“Life is full of difficult choices.”

She buried her face in her hands. “I’ve made all the wrong ones.”

“I felt that way once.”