She had shot three whales in two days—two mothers and a calf. Whether they lived or died remained a mystery. He hoped it had been quick deaths for them. He and Scarlet hadn’t gotten close enough to tell whether they had been Elementals or common beasts, but the question of their lineage didn’t concern him. They had been sentient. He had felt their consciousness. He was an accomplice to murder. Wasn’t the first time, and wouldn’t be the last, but the uncomfortable sting of his actions bit hard into his skin. Once again, Scarlet had contributed to his ongoing descent into hell on Earth. He curled his lip to contain the Fire stoking in his soul. He had waited centuries for revenge. Even had the perfect opportunity to finish her off after Eidan nearly drained her of Fire, but he’d clammed up. What the hell stopped him? Fear that after chasing her for so long, he’d have nothing left to live for when she was gone?