Chapter 0436

"Is he dead?" Athena whispers.

I gesture for Caleb to check Levi while I move to Theodore.

"Dead." Caleb mutters seconds after pressing his fingers to Levi's throat.

"Double check." I mutter, pulling Theodore's shirt open to find his chest already healing. Relief washes over me. "He's alive."

"Are you sure?" Athena asks.

"One hundred percent." I watch his wounds knit together with unnatural speed. Sometimes I forgot how fast he could heal. It was almost as quick as me.

"And this bastard is definitely gone." Caleb tells me. "What the hell was he playing at?"

Hollow gasps rattle from Theodore's chest before he finally takes a deep breath. "He wasn't playing or plotting, at least not anymore." Theodore croaks. "He was only ever here to watch his sister. He had no plans for any of us. Except me."

"But what about Hannah?" Athena presses.

"She was just collateral damage. He took advantage of the situation." His breathing remains slightly wheezy. My guess is Levi managed to puncture a lung. "Evelyn wanted Seraphina to come here."

"Why?"

"That's what I don't know. I don't think he really knew either."

"That makes no sense. He released her from prison." Athena states.

"I don't think he did. I believe it was her." Theodore coughs and spits blood. "He mentioned her being safer in the dungeon, but also said you'd all be safe with her contained. He warned that if she escaped, it would be a bloodbath now that she has her abilities. I thought he controlled her, but I think it's the opposite. Or perhaps they controlled each other in different ways."

"Luc would have detected the lies. She already deceived him once."

"Not if the questions specifically concerned Levi and his plans. She wouldn't have known because they were never his—they were hers." He rolls onto his side and frowns at Levi's body.

"She's a Lycan. I can control her." Athena mutters.

I raise a hand to Athena. "So he suppressed her abilities to protect her? That's why he never tried to retrieve her. Evelyn is locked away, but he wanted to stay close just in case."

"Not just for her." Theodore coughs and spits more blood.

"So in some twisted way, he was trying to help?" Caleb scoffs.

"Until he discovered we were mated." Theodore says, his hand moving to his mark. "I feel much better now that he's marked me." He glances at Levi's body. "I'm glad he never got the chance to—"

I look over at Levi. The blade remains lodged in his eye, and the wound on his abdomen continues to bleed. But something feels wrong.

'Zachary, is Evelyn still in the dungeon?'

'Yes. Are you ready for her?'

'No, change of plans. Is she okay? Or is she upset?'

'She's furious. She knows my presence means something.'

She would be upset if she just felt her brother die. I glance back at Levi's lifeless form. Something seems off.

"Can you stand?" I mutter to Theodore.

"I think so. Damn. I don't want to get stabbed in the chest again." He rubs the wound.

I offer him a hand and pull him to his feet as Athena throws her arms around his waist. She tells Theodore how relieved she is to see him.

"Everyone, move to the other side of the gate. Caleb, do you have a lighter or matches?"

"I think so." He searches the small office by the gates and returns with a matchbox. "Am I missing something?"

"Ever dealt with Witches before?" I ask.

"Can't say I have. Always taught to avoid them."

"What's happening?" Athena asks as I strike a match and watch the small orange flame appear. I toss it at Levi, and it lands on his chest. He ignites in a ball of orange fire.

"It's not him." Theodore scowls, suddenly understanding my actions. "No, it certainly is not."