His predator’s gaze slid over a few Mazikin who had pressed themselves against the far walls of the room and were watching him with stunned expressions, and then over to the small group of living Mazikin and the several dead or dying ones all around me. His mouth quirked up at one corner, and then his eyes met mine. They were no longer filled with regret or fear or pleading. Now they were filled with a quiet pride that felt like a caress.

Malachi jumped to the floor and stepped casually over the body of a fallen Mazikin. The remaining creatures appeared too frozen with fear to move. The six or so still around me crouched as Malachi came toward us, like they weren’t sure if they wanted to attack or run.

He feinted toward them, and they squealed and flattened themselves against the wall, sliding out of his reach. Smiling, he leaned over and yanked his throwing knife from the body of the Mazikin who’d tried to grab me. He wiped the knife on his pants but didn’t sheath it.

“It’s okay,” he said, offering his other hand. “It’s me.”

“How did you do it?” I asked hoarsely.

He raised his eyebrow. “I was stronger than he was.”

All the Mazikin in the room nervously eyed the closed doors at either side of the room, their escape routes, but they seemed afraid to move, because that would make them targets. Malachi’s fingers closed around mine, and he helped me climb over the low wall of bodies separating us. I fell into his arms, wrapping myself around him as tears stung my eyes. He held me tightly against him as I started to shake. I had been so close to losing him, and suddenly I couldn’t wait anymore to say how I felt. I had been saving this for our conversation tonight, but the words bubbled out on the current of my happiness. “I love you,” I breathed. “I love you so much.”

His face was buried in the crook of my neck, and I felt him smile against my skin. “Say it again.” His lips moved against my throat, turning my knees to jelly.

“I love you,” I said with a laugh.

“I’ve missed you so much, Lela,” he said, his voice rough. “I had no idea I’d miss you this much.”

“Are you all right?” I whispered. “That looked so painful.”

“It was.” A warm huff of laughter skated across my skin. “But now I’m fine. Better than fine, actually. Now I’m perfect.”

And then his teeth sank into my neck.

I screamed as the truth crashed through my mind like a tsunami, laying waste, washing all my strength away and replacing it with bitter, ragged grief. I’d been so stupid. Too hopeful, too desperate to have him back. Too ready to believe it was him, simply because I wanted it so badly.