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ASHADEOFKIEV3
BELLAFORREST
Contents
AlsobyBellaForrest
Copyright
1. Chapter1:Mona
2. Chapter2:Kiev3. Chapter3:Mona
4. Chapter4:Kiev5. Chapter5:Mona
6. Chapter6:Kiev7. Chapter7:Mona
8. Chapter8:Kiev9. Chapter9:Mona
10. Chapter10:Kiev11. Chapter11:Mona
12. Chapter12:Mona
13. Chapter13:Mona
14. Chapter14:Mona
15. Chapter15:Mona
16. Chapter16:Mona
17. Chapter17:Mona
18. Chapter18:Kiev19. Chapter19:Mona
20. Chapter20:Kiev21. Chapter21:Mona
22. Chapter22:Kiev23. Chapter23:Mona
24. Chapter24:Kiev25. Chapter25:Mona
26. Chapter26:Kiev27. Chapter27:Mona
28. Chapter28:Kiev29. Chapter29:Mona
30. Chapter30:Kiev31. Chapter31:Mona
32. Chapter32:Kiev33. Chapter33:Mona
34. Chapter34:Kiev35. Chapter35:Mona
36. Chapter36:Kiev37. Chapter37:Kiev38. Epilogue:Mona
OtherBooksbyBellaForrest
A L S O B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T
ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES
AShadeofVampire(Book1)
AShadeofBlood(Book2)
ACastleofSand(Book3)
AShadowofLight(Book4)
ABlazeofSun(Book5)
AGateofNight(Book6)
ABreakofDay(Book7)
AShadeofNovak(Book8)
ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY
AShadeofKiev1
AShadeofKiev2
AShadeofKiev3
BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY
BeautifulMonster1
BeautifulMonster2
ForanupdatedlistofBella’sbooks,pleasevisitherwebsite:www.bellaforrest.net
Also,signuptoherNewReleaseemaillistandyou’llautomaticallygetnotifiedassoonashernextbookisavailable:www.forrestbooks.com
Copyright©2015byBellaForrest
Allrightsreserved.
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.
K
CH A P T E R 1 : M ON A
iev’slipstouchedthebackofmyneckasIlayagainsthim,hissteadybreathingchillingmyskin.
Wedidn’texchangeawordforhours.Nowthattheheatofthemomenthadpassed,theweightofwhatwehadjustdonewasbeginningtosettleuponme.
Iwonderedwhathewasthinking.Iswallowedbackthelumpinmythroatandranmyfingersalonghisarm,
whichrestedaroundmywaist.“Thankyou,Kiev,”Iwhispered.Heexhaledandwithdrewhisarm.Iturnedaroundtoseehimrollontohis
backandfixhiseyesontheceiling.“What?”Ileantmychinonhisbareshoulder,gazingupathim.“I’mnotsurethatyoushouldbethankingme.”Isatupandleanedmybackagainstthewall,drawingmykneesupagainst
mychest.Ifeltsuddenlytoobarebeforehimandcoveredmyselfwithasheet.Iunderstoodhisresponse.Iwasfullyawareofthegravityofoursituation.
AndyetIcouldn’thelpbutfeelthankfultohimforthisglassofwaterinthedesert.Evenifitonlymademethirstier.
Hestoodupandwrappedatowelaroundhiswaist.Heheadedouttothebalcony,placingbothhandsonthebanister.Bunchingthesheetaroundme,I
followedhim.Iplacedahandoverhiscoldone.Finally,helookedmeintheeye.“Ifeelthankfulallthesame.”“EventhoughIdidn’tdoanyofthisforyou?”Itookastepbackward,tryingtoreadhisseriousexpression.“Whatdoyoumean?”Heturnedhisbackonmeandreacheduptothetopofthedoorframe.His
muscularbackarchedasheleanedagainstit.“Ididthisformyself,”hesaid.“Ididn’tgiveasecond’sthoughttohowthis
mightimpactyou.Sodon’tthankme.”Thewordshehadspokenbeforewe’dmadeloveechoedaroundinmyhead.“I’mnotheretocomfortyou…AllIknowisthatIneededtoseeyouagain.”Icrossedmyarmsovermychest,feelinggoosebumpsonmyskinasachilly
breezeblewacrossthelake.“Whatareyoutryingtosay?”Hewhirledaround,hisgreeneyessettlingonme.“CouldImakemyselfanyclearer?”hesnapped.“I’mnotlookingoutfor
yourbestinterests.Sodon’tthankme.It’sabsurd.”Iwastryingtowrapmyheadaroundwhathewassaying.Whyhewas
sayingit.“Soyou’dprefermetobeangryandcallyouaselfishbastard.”Histonewasbeginningtograteonmynerves.“Thatwouldbemoreappropriateandcertainlylessdelusional.”Webothstoodstill,glaringateachother.Thensomethingsparkedinhiseyes.Hisbreathhitched.Heclosedthe
distancebetweenus,wrappingonearmaroundmywaistwhiletheotherhandreachedintomyhair.Ashepulledmyheadback,hislipsbegankneadingharshlyagainstmine.
Myownpassionstookoverdespitemyself.Iletgoofthesheetcoveringmeandwrappedbotharmsaroundhisneck,pullingmyselfupagainsthimandlockingmylegsaroundhimasIrespondedtohiskiss.
Wewerebothbreathingheavilyagainasourlipsbrokeapartminuteslater.
“Whatarewe?”Iwhispered.Heloweredmebackdowntotheground.“Idon’tknow.”Istaredathimforseveralmomentslonger,butunsurewhattosay,Iwalked
backintothecabin.Ifoundadressinmyoldcupboardandslippeditovermyhead.Kievpickeduphisowntornclothesfromthefloorandputthemon.
Iwalkeduptohimandplacedmyhandinhis,tuggingathimtofollowmeoutsideagain.
Hedidn’taskwhereIwasleadinghimasIwalkedtotheedgeofthebalcony.Grippinghishandmoretightly,Ivanishedusbothbacktothemainland.
WestillhadtimebeforewehadtoreturntoTheShade,andIjustwantedtowalkwithhim.Thatlittlecabinhadsuddenlyfelttoosmallandclaustrophobicforthetwoofus.
Ididn’tknowwhereIwasgoingtotakehim.Butwalking,ratherthanstandingstill,feltlikewhatIneededtobedoing.Itdistractedmefromthepainthatwasbeginningtoeatawayatmeaseachsecondofourshorttimetogetherebbedaway.
Aswenearedtheentranceofwhatusedtobethevampires’tunnels,beforeKiev’ssiblingsmadeMatteoandhiscrewevacuate,Kievdartedoffintotheforest.
Whatintheworld…Someonescreamed.MymouthdroppedopenandalltheblooddrainedfrommyfaceasKiev
emergedfromthewoods,grippingayoungwomanbytheneck.“Celice!”Igasped.MystomachjumpedtomythroatasIstaredathersweatyface.AsKievdraggedhercloser,hegruntedandletgoofherasifhe’djustbeen
burned.Celicestoodupstraight,alookoftriumphonherface.Kievlaunchedatheragain,butsheraisedherhandsandputupaforcefield
aroundher.Hecouldn’tcomewithinafewfeetofher.
“You,”shesaidgleefullytome,“areinsomeserioustroubleforstealingthisvampirefromme.Hewassupposedtobemine.Notyours.YoualreadyhaveRhys.He’snotgoingtobetoopleasedwhenIreturnandtellhimallabout—”
ThecurseescapedmylipsbeforeIcouldstopit.Aboltoffireshotfrommypalms,breakingthroughtheyoungwitch’sforcefieldandhittinghersquareinthechest.Shecrashedbackagainstatree.Slidingdownitstrunk,herbodywaslimpasshehittheground.
MylimbstrembledasIstaredindisbelief.WhathaveIdone?Istaggeredtowardher,grippingherheadinmyhands.Hereyeswereopen,
staringblanklyahead.Ilaidherdownontheforestgroundandplacedmyearagainstherchest.
Noteventheslightesthintofaheartbeat.Kievapproachedbesideme.HelookedalmostasshockedasIfelt.AndthenhevoicedwhatIwashopingwasn’ttrue.“She’sdead.”
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CH A P T E R 2 : K I E V
staredatthecorpse.Ithadallhappenedsofast.Thesnappingoftwigs,thedarkbrowncurlsaboveabush,asharpintakeofbreath…
IshouldhavesuspectedCelicewhenIheardthatsoundonthebalconybackinthecastle.
“Ikilledher.”Mona’sbreathingcameinshortraspsasshegottoherfeetandstumbledawayfromthebody.“Id-don’tknowwhatIwasthinking.”
IbentdownandscoopedupCelice’sbodyinmyarms.“Whatareyoudoing?”Monagrippedmyarm.Ibrushedheraway.“Weshouldn’tleaveherbodyhereintheopen.”Ibeganwalkingbackdowntothelake.Monafollowedme,stillinshock.OnceIreachedthebank,Iplacedthebodydownontheground.Removing
myshirt,Irippedoffastripoffabric.Ipickedupastoneandtiedoneendofthecottonaroundit,fasteningtheothertoCelice’sankle.
“Y-you’regoingtodumpherinthelake?”Monalookedatmeinhorror.“Whynot?Thefishwilleatawayherfleshsoonenough.”PickingupbothCeliceandtherock,Iwadedintothewater.Iswamwith
bothuntilIreachedthecenterwhereIletgo,watchingasthebrunette’sbodydisappearedintothelake’sdepths.
Ireturnedtothebank.“Dryme,”IsaidtoMona,whowasstillstaringatthecenterofthelake
whereIhaddroppedthebody.Ishookhershoulders.“Isaiddryme.”Shecametohersensesanddriedme,althoughhervoicetrembledevenas
sheutteredthecharm.“W-weneedtoleavehere,”shesaid.Shethrewonelastlookatthelake,and
thenherdeepblueeyessettledonme.BeforeIcouldrespond,shegraspedmyhandsandinawhirlofcolorswehaddisappearedfromMatteo’sisland.
Afewsecondslater,IopenedmyeyestofindusbothstandingbackonTheShade’sbeach,closetotheport.
IlookeddownatMona.“Ineedtogetbacktothecastle,”wasallshesaid.Takingastepawayfromme,shevanished.Istoodstill,myeyesfixedonthesandwherenowonlyherfootprints
remained.Idecidedtowaitbeforereturningsothatwearrivedbackatdifferenttimes.
Ibreathedintheseaair,turningtofacethewaves.Mona…Idon’tknowwhatI’mdoinganymore.Thiswasprobablyamistake.
Soonenough,MonawillbeanotherwomanwhosedownfallI’llberesponsiblefor.
YetIstillwantedtoseeher.IthoughtofRhysandwonderedhowmuchlongeritwouldbebeforehe
returnedwithmorehumans.Iguessedthatheprobablywouldn’tbebackforatleastanotherhalfday.
We’dreturnedearly,MonaandI.Thankstothatlittlewench.IstillfeltsurprisedbytheforceofMona’sspell.I’dbeensousedtothinking
ofMonaashelpless—nodifferentreallythanahuman.Seeingherdisplaysuchprowesswasstrange.Butsomethingaboutitbroughtmecomfort—itmadeherseemlessfragile,lessbreakable.Unlikeallthepreviouswomeninmylife.
AsIcontinuedwalkingalongthebeach,IwonderedifCelicecouldhavealreadytoldRhysandhersistersaboutus.Somehow,Idoubtedit.IfRhysknew,Monawouldhaveknownaboutit.Onthatfrontatleast,weweresafe.
Thentherewastheissueofthehumandisappearances.TheonlywayRhyswouldsuspectmewasifTiarnimentionedwe’dbothbeenontheislandtogether.ButIdoubtedthatwouldhappen—sinceI’dgottenTiarnisodrunkthatnight,shecouldn’tbesurethatshehadn’tleftthecelldoorsopenbyaccident.
EvenifTiarniwaslucidenoughtorealizethatIhaddoneit—especiallysinceithadhappenedbothinTheShadeandtheirislandinquicksuccession—itwouldstillbemywordagainsthersbecauseshehadnoevidence.ThatcouldofcourseleadbothofusintoanawkwardsituationwithRhys.Hedidn’tstrikemeasthemostcharitableofsorts.
I’lljusthavetodealwithitwhenithappens.What’sdoneisdone.Allthistroubleforthatwitch.Andwhy?Istilldidn’tevenunderstand
myself.Istilldidn’tunderstandwhatdrewmetoher.WhyIwantedherso.WhyI
waswillingtorisksomuchjusttoseeher.Afterhalfanhour,Ileftthebeachandwalkedbackthoughthewoodstothe
castle.Iheadedstraighttomyquarters.Thankfullynobodysawmeonmywayup,
forIwaswearingnoshirtandmypantsweretorn.Ilockedthedoorandwentintothebathroomtotakeashower,carefulto
inspectmybodyandclothesforMona’slongblondehairs.Ithrewawaymyoldclothesandputonfreshones.ThenIlaydownonthebedandstaredupattheceiling.
Ihadtouchedanothercorpsetoday.Onlythistime,Ihadnotclaimedthelifemyself.IwonderedifthisdaywasthefirsttimeMonahadkilled.Althoughshe’d
appearedtofeelguiltyafterward,shecertainlyhadn’tseemedtohaveanyqualmswhileshewasdoingit.
Killingseemedsecondnaturetoher.
A
CH A P T E R 3 : M ON A
ssoonasIarrivedbackinRhys’apartment,Irushedtotakeashower.IsoapedmyselffromtoptobottomandwashedmyhairtoridmyselfofKiev’sscent.Ichangedintoacleandressandvanishedmyoldclothes.
IwasstillinastateofshockasIpacedupanddowntheapartment,tryingtowrapmymindaroundwhathadjusttranspired.
Icouldn’tbelievethatCelicewasdead.Butmostofall,Icouldn’tunderstandhowIcouldhavekilledher.Rhyshadtaughtmefatalcursesinthepast,butthatwasalongtimeago.Whatdisturbedmewashowinstinctivelythatcursehadcometomylips.I’dthoughtthatI’dforgottenhowtoevenperformsuchpowerfulmagic,yetithadcometomewithoutevenhavingtothink.
IjustmurderedRhys’sister.Hisyoungestsister.Rhysalwayshadbeenmostaffectionatewithandprotectiveofhisyoungestsister.
Stillshaking,Igotintobedandpulledthecoversoverme.Iclosedmyeyes,tryingtosteadymymind.Tryingtonumbtheguiltthatwastearingatmychest.
Thedoorclickedopenatsomepointpastmidnight.Rhysentered.Hewhippedoffhiscloakandswungitoverachair.Hisdark
eyesroamedmeasIlayinbed.“H-howdiditgo?”Iasked,tryingtokeepmyvoicefrombreaking.“Adisaster.”Hescowled.
Isatup,tryingtoassumealookofconcern.“Whywereyougonesolong?Whathappened?”Hesatdownonthebedandremovedhisheavyboots.Leaningbackagainst
theheadboard,hestretchedouthislegsonthemattress.“Thehumansweregonefromourislandtoo.Thedungeon’sdoorhadbeen
leftopen.Someoftheoldboatsweregone.”Iclaspedahandtomymouthandgasped.“Buthow?”“Wedon’tknow.Butit’sclearnowthatwehavearatamongus.”Hestrippedtohisunderwearandslippedbetweenthecovers,lyingnextto
me.Hedidn’tstopeyeingmeasherestedhisheadonthepillow.Hereachedoutandgrippedthebackofmyhead,pullingmecloseragainsthim.
“Youwouldn’thappentoknowanythingaboutthis?”Hisvoicewassoftbutdeadly.
Myheartbeatfaster.“HowwouldI?”Silence.Isatupandstareddownathim,doingmybesttoactindignant.“HowcouldyouthinkIcouldhavedonethis?”“You’vebeenactingstrangelyeversincewearrivedonthisisland.”Ishookmyhead.“Ihadnothingtodowiththis.Ipromiseyou.”Hecontinuedstaringatme.Finally,hereachedformeandpulledmeagainsthim.Desperatetochangethesubject,Iasked,“Soyouhadtogetanewbatchof
humans?”“Hm.”AlthoughIwasstillcurious,Ididn’tdareaskwherehegotthemfrom.It
didn’tmatteratthatpoint.“Ineedtorestnow,”hesaid,rollingoverontohisside.“It’sbeenalongday.
Andtomorrowmaybeevenlonger.I’mgoingtosmokeoutthisrat.”Hereachedouttothebedsidetableandswitchedoffthelight.
IlaytrappedinhisarmsasIlistenedtohimdriftoff.Smokeouttherat.What’shegoingtodo?IrealizedhowflimsyKiev’scoverwas.Ifanyonefoundoutthathehadgone
withTiarnitotheisland—andIwassureRhyswouldsoonerorlater—Tiarnicouldrevealwhathappened.Andevenifshedidn’t,Kievwouldbeundersuspicion.ThatwassomethingIcouldn’tallow,especiallynowthatCelicehadalsomysteriouslydisappeared.
“Oh,bytheway,”Rhyssaid.“HaveyouseenCelicerecently?JulisseandAriellesaidthey’vebeenlookingeverywhereforher.”
“No,”Isaid.“Ican’timaginewhereshe’sgotto.”
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CH A P T E R 4 : K I E V
waswokenbyaknockonmyfrontdoor.Groaning,Istaggeredoutofbed.Iwrappedarobearoundmeandopened
thedoor.Mybrotherstoodinthedoorway,hisarmscrossedoverhischest.“Erik?”Hismouthhungopenassoonashesawme.“Youreyes!They…they’regreen.”Iheavedasigh.“Yes.”“How?”“Idon’tknow.Theychangeeverynowandthen.Whatwasityouwanted?”Stillstaringatmyeyes,hesaid,“You’regoingtobelateforlunch.It’sin
fiveminutes.”“I’mnothungry.”Imotionedtoclosethedoor,butheheldouthishand.“Rhys’orders.”Iscowled.“Allright.I’llbedown.”Iclosedthedoorandpulledonsomeclothesbeforeheadingdowntothe
diningroom.Thehigh-ceilingedhallwasalreadyalmostfullwithvampiresand
witches.ImademywayovertotheendofthetablewhereItookaseatinbetweenHelinaandErik.
“Kiev!Youreyes,”Helinagaspedassoonasshesawme.“They’regreen!”“Yes,I’maware,”Isaiddryly,rubbingmytemples.“How?”IgaveherthesameanswerI’dgivenErik.Andbeforeshecouldaskmore
questions,Rhysstoodupandraisedhishandsforsilence.IglancedbrieflyatMona.ShesatnexttoRhys,hereyesfixedonherplate.
Herfacewasashen.Silencefelluponthehall.“Iassumethewordhasgotoutalready.”Hiseyestraveledalongthetable.
“Wehaveatraitorinourmidst.”Istaredrightbackathimashisgazereachedme.Hedidn’tlingeronmeany
longerthantheothers.“WhatIthoughtmighthavebeenafoolishmistakeisnowclearlymuch
more.Somebodyreleasedthehumansonourislandjustafterthehumansherewentmissing.SincetheNovalicshavebeenunsuccessfulatfindingtheculprit,EfrenandIwilltakeoverfromhere.Wewillbeinterrogatingeachandeveryoneofyou.Wewillgettothebottomofthis,soIsuggestthatyouadmititnowratherthandrawingoutthepain.Becausewewillfindyou.”
Mona’shandclenchedaroundherfork.Helinatensedbesideme.IkeptmybreathingcalmandsteadyasIwatchedRhys.“Interrogationswillbeconductedinhere.We’llbegindirectlyafterlunch.”
Heturnedtotherightofthetableandpointedtothefirsttwovampiressittingthere.“Youtwowillbefirst.”Helookedbackateveryoneelse.“Makesureyou’vefinishedeatingbytwoo’clocksharp.Nightlyritualswillalsobepauseduntilwe’vecaughtthistraitor.”
Rhyssatbackdownandcontinuedtoglareatus.Iswallowedbackthreeglassesofbloodandstoodup.Ididn’tgiveHelina
thechancetoholdmeback.Imeldedinwithagroupofvampireshurryingoutofthehall.Islippedoutoftheentranceandwalkedaroundthebackofthecastle,whereonewaslesslikelytobumpintopeople.
Ineededsomefreshairtoclearmyhead.IfIwastobesuspected,itwouldbeduetoTiarni.Ineededtomakesureshe
wouldn’ttell.Becauseifshedid,althoughIwasn’tparticularlyworriedaboutwhatwouldhappentome,itwouldaffectmysiblings.
Ahisscamefrombehindme.“Kiev!”Monastoodtenfeetawayfromme.Sheworeblackglovesandacloakover
herlongdress.Iclosedthedistancebetweenus.Hereyeswerewide.“Ineedtomeetyoubackinyourroom.WhileRhysis
busywiththeinterrogation.Gotherenow.I’llfollowinfiveminutes.”Sheturnedandwalkedaway.Ididassherequestedandreturnedtomyapartment.Sheknockedonthedoorafewminuteslater.“Tiarni,”shebreathed.Inodded.“Haveherhereinyourroombyteno’clocktonight.Idon’thavetimeto
explain.Justdoit.”Sheturnedtoleave.Ireachedouttograbherhand.“Leaveme.”“Whatareyouplanning?”Shestruggledagainstme.“Idon’thavetimeto—”“You’llkillhertoo?”Shestoppedstrugglingandstaredatmeforseveralmoments.Herlipsparted,andIthoughtshewasabouttoanswer.Butthenshevanished
intothinair.
R
CH A P T E R 5 : M ON A
hysdidn’tpayattentiontomeformostoftheday.Hewasbusyinterrogatingvampiresandwitches,andthenscouringtheislandalongwithhistwosistersinsearchofCelice.
Ispentmostofmydayroundthebackofthecastle,watchingtheentrancetotheisland’sundergroundspellroom.EfrenwasinthereforhoursandIwasbeginningtolosehopethathe’deverleave,butfinallyheemergedfromthetrapdoor,leavingmelessthantwohourstoconcoctthepotionIneededforlaterthatnight.
Iduckeddownfurtherintothebushes,waitingwithbatedbreathuntilhe’ddisappearedfromsight.ThenIcrepttowardthedoor.Ifumbledaroundfortheclaspandlifteditup.Ihurrieddownthestepsandshutthedooroverme.Ihadtohopethatnoneofthewitcheswouldneedtousetheroomforthenextcoupleofhours.IfsomeonecameinandaskedwhatIwasconcocting,I’djusthavetomakesomethingup.
Ilookedaroundthedimcircularchamber.Arustysmellofhumanbloodwaftedintomynostrils.Shelvesofpotionsandleather-boundbookslinedthewalls.Alsofixedtothewallswerewidewoodencounters,uponwhichlayvariousknivesandothermetalutensils.Twoyoungwomenwerechainedinonecorner,bothonthefloor,unconscious.
Focus,Mona.Youdon’thavemuchtime.Avertingmyeyesawayfromthem,Iapproachedoneoftheshelves.Heaving
offathickblackbook,Iplaceditdownonthecounter.IflippedthroughthefadingparchmentpagesuntilIreachedtherecipeIneeded.
MybreathhitchedasIlookedatthecomplexityofit.Ilookedaroundtheingredientsshelvesandprayedthatwehadeverything.
Iapproachedoneofthecauldronsinthecenteroftheroomandstokedafire.Iranaroundtheroom,collectingbottlesofftheshelvesandtippingthemintotheblackpot.Fortunately,wedidhaveeverything.Ariellealwaysmadesurethatwewerewellstocked.
ThecauldronbubbledandsplutteredasIchurnedit.Anhourlater,ithadformedintoathickorangeliquid.Isniffedit,worryingthatImighthaveburntit.
Iscrapeditoutofthecauldronandpoureditintoametalgoblet.ThenIcleanedup,leavingtheroominthestatethatI’dfoundit.
Concealingthegobletwithmycloak,Iclimbedoutofthespellroomandclosedthetrapdoorbehindme.
ThenItransportedmyselfbacktoRhys’chamberstocheckifhehadreturnedyet.Relievedtoseethathehadn’t,IwalkedstraightoutoftheroomandtowardKiev’sapartment.Iduckeddownintheshadowsinthefarendofhiscorridorandwaited.
Itwasteno’clockandTiarnistillhadn’tshownup,soIcouldonlyassumethatKievhadgottenherintherebeforeIhadarrived.Eitherthat,orhe’dfailedtolureherin.
Iwalkedovertohisdoorandplacedmyearagainstthedoor.Softmoaning.She’sinthere.Iopenedthedoorandsteppedinside,closingthedoorbehindmeasquietly
asIcould.Icreptalongthehallwayandpeekedthroughthebedroomdoor,whichhad
beenleftopen.IfeltasharptwingeinmychestasIcaughtsightoftheredheadlying
beneathKievinhisbed.Althoughtheywerestillclothed,thewayhewas
touchinghercutmedeep.Swallowingbackthepain,IduckeddownonthefloorandcrawleduntilIwasascloseaspossibletowheretheywerelying.
Iraisedmyheaduptothebed’slevel.Tiarni’seyeswereclosedasKievkissedher,buthenoticedme.Iheldupthegoblet.Heseemedtounderstand.
“Closeyoureyes,”hewhisperedintoTiarni’sear,hisvoicehoarseandseductive.
“Why?”“It’sasurprise.”“Okay,”shebreathed.Hekeptonehandoverhereyeswhilehereachedtheotherhandouttome.I
passedhimthegoblet.“Openyourmouth.”TiarnididasshewastoldandKievtippedtheliquiddownherthroat.She
coughedandspluttered.“Wha-whatareyou…”Hervoicetrailedoffastheliquidbegantotakeeffect.Kievcrawledoffofherandstoodnexttomeaswebothstareddownather.
Hereyeballsrolledintheirsocketsandherwholebodytrembled.Assoonasherlipsbegantoswell,Igrippedherheadbetweenmyhandsandclosedmyeyes,picturingthevisionsthatIwasabouttoimplantinherasmemories.
ThenightthehumansescapedTheShade,youletthemout.Youalsoletthehumansfreeonyourownisland.YoudidthistotakerevengeonRhysforshunningyoualltheseyearsinfavorofMonawhoisnothingbutatraitor.You’veneverforgivenhimforit.YouknewhowimportanthisandIsolde’sritualsaretohimrightnow,soyouwantedtodisruptthem.Whileyouwerefreeingthehumansonyourownisland,Celicefollowedyouandtriedtostopyou.Youkilledheranddumpedherbodyinthesea.
Iletgoofher.Shestoppedtremblingandhereyelidsflickeredshut.IswallowedbackthelumpinmythroatandlookedupatKiev.“There’snoritualtonight,”Icroaked.“Sheneedstostaywithyounowuntil
morning.Byaboutnineo’clock,shewillwakeupwiththememoriesI
implantedinher…andherconfessionwillforceoutofherlipswhenRhysinterrogatesher.”
“Whatconfession?”“You’llsee.”Myhandstrembling,Irushedoutoftheroom.Tiarnialwayshadgoneoutofherwaytomakemylifehell,butIknewthe
kindofpunishmentthatwouldbefallhernow.Apunishmentthatevenshecouldneverdeserve.
Butitwasdonenow.I’dmademydecision.I’dtakenituponmyselftosacrificeherlifeinfavorofours.Itwastoolateforregretsorsecondthoughts.
Twomurders.Inthespaceofafewdays.Whowillbenext?
M
CH A P T E R 6 : K I E V
onaisdarkerthanIimagined.Istilldidn’tunderstandwhatfatewouldbefallTiarniorevenwhatshewould
confesstoRhys,butIknewenoughaboutthewarlockbynowtoknowthathewouldn’tletherofflightly.
AsMonahadpredicted,Tiarniwokeupataboutnineo’clock.Shelookedupatmeandsmiledseductively.Sheclearlydidn’trememberanythingaboutMonainterruptingus.
“Goodmorning,Kiev.”IkeptTiarnioccupiedinmyroomuntilIheardaknockatthedoor.Iopened
ittoseeEfren,hergingerbrother,standingthere.“Rhyswantstoseeyoubothnow.”Iwalkedbackintothebedroom.“It’syourbrother,”Isaid.“Getdressed.”“Why?”“Rhysneedstotalktous.”Panicfilledhereyes.Ipickeduphergownfromthefloorandhelpedherget
intoit.Catchingherbythehand,Iledheroutoftheroom,hopingEfrenwouldn’tdetectanythingstrangeaboutherbehavioraswewalked.Thankfully,hewalkedaheadofussohedidn’t.
Themorewenearedthedininghall,themoreTiarnidraggedherfeet.Ipickedherupandcarriedhertherestoftheway.Iputherdownoncewearrivedoutsidetheentrance.
Efrenglancedathissisterjustbeforeweentered.“Youlooksopale.”Hefrowned,liftingahandtohercheek.“It’snothingtoworryabout,Tiarni.It’sjustRhysandIgoingthroughprocedure.”
Afraidatwhathewasseeinginher,ItuggedonTiarni’sarmandpulledherintotheroom.Rhyssatattheendofthelongtable,leaningbackinhischair,onebootrestingontheseatnexttohim.
Heremainedsilent,watchingusasweeachpulledupachair.Onceweweresitting,heclearedhisthroat.Hiseyessettledonmefirst.“Novalic,IadmitthatIbarelyknowyou,butyoursiblingshavebeenloyal
tousformanyyearsnow.”Hepickedupaquillandplaceditdownonapieceofparchment.“Tellme,wherewereyouthenightthehumans—”
“Ididit,”Tiarniblurtedout.Herknuckleswerewhiteassheclenchedherfiststogetheronthetable,hernostrilsflaringasshebegantotakeinshallowbreaths.“Ifreedthehumans.”
Efren’sjawdropped.Rhyswasalsostunnedintosilence,hislipspartingashestaredather.“Tiarni,”Efrengasped.“Whatareyousaying?”“Ididit.Isetallthehumansfree,bothonthisislandandalsobackhome!”“Whywouldyoudothat?”Rhysspokethistime,hisvoicelowand
menacing.“Becauseofyou!”Tiarniscreamed,jumpingupfromherseatandwalking
overtoRhys,glaringdownathim.“AllI’veeverwantedisforyoutoreturnmylove.Buteverytime,youturnedmeawayforthatscrawnyblonde.EvenKievIonlysleptwithhopingtomakeyoujealous!”Shesanktoherkneesandbegansobbing.“I’vetakenyourinsultsfortoolong,Rhys.Ineededtodosomethingtosoothethewoundsyou’vecausedme.”
Rhysstoodup,toweringoverher,hischestheaving.EfrenjumpedupandplacedhishandoverTiarni’sforehead.Helookedupat
Rhyswithdesperateeyes.“Can’tyouseeshe’ssick?Rhys,listentome.There’snowayinhellmy
sisterwouldhavedonethis.”HeturnedtofaceTiarniandshookher.“Whatareyousaying?Ofcourseyoudidn’tdothis.”
IntwostridesRhyshadwalkedoverandpulledEfrenawayfromhissister.Hereachedforherearandtwistedituntilsheyelpedinpain.
“Onceandforall,Iwillpunishyouforthisstubborninfatuationyouhavewithme.”Hethrewherdown,herheadbashingagainstthestonefloor.
Rhyspickeduphispenandparchmentand,glaringatEfren,said,“Thisinvestigationisover.”
HereachedbackdowntopickupTiarni.Hecaughtholdofherlonghairandpulledherintoastandingposition.
Tearsstreameddownhercheeksandherlipsquiveredasshebreathed,“I-IalsomurderedCelice.”
Astunnedsilencefelluponthehall.“Celicefollowedmebackhome,”Tiarnicried.“Ikilledheranddroppedher
bodyinthesea.R-Rhys,Ionlydiditbecause—”EfrenyelledandgrippedTiarnibythethroat,chokingherbeforeshecould
utteranotherincriminatingword.Butitwastoolate.Rhysburnedwithafurysowild,Icouldpracticallyfeelhisbloodboiling.
Tiarniscreamedashepouncedonher,andtheybothvanished.
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lltheresidentsoftheislandgatheredthatnightonthebeach.Westoodaroundaheapofwood.Rhyshadinsistedonbuildingthepyrehimself.
JulisseandAriellehadscannedtheislandinsearchofCeliceonelasttimeatthepleaofEfren,justtocheckthatCelicedefinitelywasn’thereandthiswasn’talljustastrangeliebyTiarni.Ofcourse,they’dreturnedunsuccessful.
NowRhyspreparedthewood,hisfacewhite.HewalkedovertoTiarni,wholaysemi-consciousonthegroundafewfeetaway.Now,hewantedhertobefullyconsciousagain.
Rhyshadalreadypriedawayherfingernailsandtoenailsonebyonewithabluntknife.Thenhe’dtornawayherhairwithhisbarefists,untilherscalpwasapatchy,bloodymess.Wehadallwatched,aswasourcustomwheneveratraitorwasfoundamongus.EvenEfrenhadbeenforcedtostandby.Ilookedatthescatterednailsandhaironthesandafewmetersaway.
Now,RhysstrippedTiarninakedandthrewherclothesonthepyre.“No!”sheshrieked,comingtoconsciousnessagainandclutchingRhys’
shirt.“Pleasedon’tdothis.Rhys,Iloveyou!Iloveyou!I’vealwayslovedyou—”
“Silence!”RhysstruckherwithhisfistsohardIwassurehe’dbrokenherjaw.
Hetiedheragainsttheposterectedinthecenterofthewood,fixinghertherewithmagicbondsthatnoamountofstrugglingcouldbreakfreefrom.
IlookedatEfren.Hehadavertedhiseyestotheground,tearsspillingdownhischeeks.
AsparkemanatedfromRhys’palmandafiercebonfireerupted.Wealltookastepbackfromthesuddenheat.
Tiarni’sbloodcurdlingscreamsfilledthenightair.Rhysresumedhisplacenexttome,hisjawclenched,hishollowblackeyes
flickeringagainsttheflames.IfeltlikeIwasabouttothrowup.Mystomachhadtwisteditselfintoknots
sotightIcouldbarelybreathe.Ishouldbetheoneburninginthatfirerightnow.AndyetIdecidedtosave
mylifeatthecostofaninnocent’s.HowcouldIhavedonethis?Whatishappeningtome?IheldmyhandsagainstmyearsastheflameslickedTiarni’sskinandmelted
herthroughtothebone.Ichokedonthesmokeasitstungmyeyes.Thesmellofburntfleshpervaded
thearea—astenchthateventheseabreezewashavingtroubledissipating.JulisseandAriellestoodontheothersideofRhys,sobbingineachother’s
arms.Isolde,theiraunt,whostoodstillfurtheralong,hadanexpressionalmostascontrolledasRhys.
Rhys’facewasstillashen,hiseyesstillfixedonthefire.Sensingmygazeonhim,hemuttered,“Andthisiswhatwedototraitors.”Ishivered.IfearedthatRhys’darknesshadpenetratedmybeingtoomuchalready.
Withoutmeevenrealizingit.AsIlookedbackattheflamesthathadnowdevouredtheyoungredhead,
onethoughtcircledinmymind:Ineedtogetawayfromthislife.
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CH A P T E R 8 : K I E V
hadnevercaredfortheredhead,butIwouldn’thavewishedsuchafateuponher.
Thecrowdfinallydispersedasthebonfirebegantodim.RhysturnedtoEfrenbeforeleavingandpointedtotheheapofhissister’snailsandhaironthesand.“Burnthosetoo,”hesaid.
EfrenglaredafterRhysashewalkedaway.ItlookedlikeitwasallhecoulddotostophimselffromattackingRhys.
IhadlookedoveratMonafromacrossthebonfireseveraltimesthroughouttheburning.Herexpressionhadbeenhardtoread.Istillcouldn’tshakethesurpriseoverwhatshehaddone.EvenIwouldn’thavebeensoquicktocondemnTiarnitosuchafate.
Iwaitedforthehushedcrowdstoleave,andIavoidedjoiningmysiblingseventhoughtheybeckonedmeover.ItoldthemthatIwouldstayoutsideawhilelonger.
ThatleftjustEfrenandI.Hebentdownovertheremainsofhissister.“Novalic,”herasped.Hestoodup,abunchofcurlyredhairclutchedinhispalehand.“Youspentmuchtimewithmysisterduringherlastdays.”Hesquintedat
methroughthethickgreysmoke.“Youknowthatshedidn’tdothis.”
Itookadeepbreath,unsureofhowtorespond.“WasshenotsharingyourbedthenightsthesehumansandCelice
disappeared?”“Evidentlynot,”Isaidcoldly.Theaccusatorytoneofhisvoiceputmeonedge.Brushingawaysweatfromhisforeheadwiththebackofhissleeve,he
staggeredafewstepstowardme.“Thiswasallsounlikeher,”hesaidsoftly.“Yes,shelovedRhys,butshe
neverwouldhavedonesomethingsofoolish.Shevaluedherlifemorethanthis.”Hehelduptheclumpofhair.“Wouldn’tyouagree?”
Itookastepawayfromhimandstartedwalkingtowardthewoods.“Wait.”Iturnedaroundslowlytofacehimagain.Henarrowedhiseyesonme.“Iknowyouhavesomethingtodowiththis.Whyelsewouldshebehavethe
wayshedid?Youdidsomethingtoherthatmadehergetthisinsaneideaintoherhead.MaybeshedidevenmurderCeliceandletallthehumansfree.ButtherehadtobesomeotherincentivethantakingvengeanceonRhys.Anincentivethatonlycameaboutonceshestartedseeingyou…”
Iglaredbackathim.“Careful,warlock,”Isaid.“Iwouldthinklongandhardbeforemaking
accusationsofme.”Hebackeddown.ButasIleft,Ifelthiseyesfollowme.
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hysleftearlythenextmorningtolookforhissister’sbody.Hehopedthattheywouldbeabletogiveheraproperfuneral.Hethoughtperhapsthecorpsemighthavewashedupalongtheshoreofourisland.Whenhereturnedafewhourslaterunsuccessful,heconcludedthatitmusthavefloatedtoofaralready,orbeeneatenbyashark.
AllritualswerecanceledforthreedaysasthesiblingsmournedthelossofCelice.ThefirsttwodaysRhysdidn’texchangeawordevenwithme.He,JulisseandAriellelockedthemselvesupinthespellroom.Butbythethirdnight,Rhysreturnedtoourbedroomjustbeforemidnight.
Ishiveredashisbodybrushedagainstmine,hisarmreachingovermywaistasherestedhischinonmybareshoulder.
Hisbreathingbecameheavierashefellasleep.Ifeltsickbeneathhistouch.Theweightofhisstrongarmpressingagainst
mystomachmademewanttothrowup.AddingmorepressurethanIwasalreadybearingfrommurderingtwoyoungwomen.
Ireachedforhishandandslidoutfromunderneathhim,walkingovertothebalcony.
IlookedbackatRhys’face.Ididthissometimeswhenhewassleepingtodetectinhimanytracesofthepersonheusedtobe.
Hewasfrowning,hislipstight,asifinpain.ItwasanexpressionIseldomsawinhimwhenhewasawake.Itremindedmeofwhenhewasaboy.Mybestfriend.I’dknownallhisexpressionssowellthenandIstillkeptthemtreasuredinmymemory.
Anotherpangofguilthitme.Irememberedtheagonyoflosingmyownfamily.Ididn’twishthatpainon
Rhys.AndyetIhadcauseditsocarelessly.“I’msorry,”Ibreathed.Iwalkedbackovertothebedandbrushedawayhiswavydarkhairfromhis
face,placingagentlekissonhisforehead.Hestirredandopenedhiseyes.Hereachedformeandwrappedhisarmsaroundme,pullingmebeneaththecovers.Irestedmyheadagainsthischest,listeningtohisheartbeat.Eventhoughitcutmetothinkofthesufferinghewasgoingthrough,thefactthathecouldstillexperiencepainandlossbroughtmecomfort.Whenhewasawake,heconcealedhisfeelingssowellthatI’dbelievedhedidn’thavethem.
“I’msorry,”Irepeated,louderthistime.Hegruntedandrolledoveronhisside,hisbackfacingme.Ibrokedownintotears.“I’msosorryyoulostyoursister.”Sobsrackedmybodyasallthetensionbuiltupoverthelastfewdays
floodedout.Ireachedmyarmaroundhimandpressedmywetcheekagainsthisback.Hetensedbeneathmytouch.Thenheturnedbackaroundtofaceme.Hesatupinbed,lookingdownatme.
“It’sbeenaheavyloss,”hesaid,hisvoicehoarse,ashebrushedawaymytearswithhisthumb.“Butyououghtnottocryoverit.ItoldJulisseandAriellethesame.Itmaybedifficulttobearnow,butwemustseeitasatesttomakeusallstronger.”
Ishouldn’thaveexpectedhisresponsetobeanydifferent.RhysalwaysdidseeeverythingthathappenedinlifeinlightoftheCause.Eventhedeathofhisownsister.
Neitherofussleptthatnight.HishandsranthroughmyhairabsentmindedlyasIlayagainsthim.Itwashardtorelaxbeneathhistouchafterthenight’s
events.IshiveredasIthoughtaboutthestrengthofthosehands.HowtheyhadrippedTiarni’shairfromherskull.ThosehandsthatnowcaressedmesogentlywouldhavetreatedmejustastheyhadTiarnihadheknownthatIwasthecauseofhissister’sdeath.
Rhysroseearly,tookashoweranddressed.“Thingswillreturntonormalnowthatwehavecaughtthetraitor,”hesaid,
fasteningacloakaroundhim.“Wehavewastedtoomuchtimealready.Isoldewassoclosetomakingabreakthrough.”
Ididn’tknowwhatthisbreakthroughwas,butIdarednotask.Ifearedtheanswer.
“Idon’tsensethatyou’reparticularlybotheredourritualshavebeendelayed,”hesaid,eyeingmeasIlayinbed.
Irubbedmyheadinmyhandsandsighed.ThelastthingIwantedrightnowwasoneofRhys’tiradesabouthowIdidn’tsharethesamepassionashimforourancestors’cause.
“I’mjust…tired,Rhys.It’sbeenadifficultfewdays.”Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischestandstareddownatme.Igroanedinternally.Hewasgoingtotakeouthisfrustrationonme.Iknew
Rhysbetterthanheknewhimselfsometimes.Eventhoughheseemedtobelievethathewasaboveexperiencingemotions,
hewasn’t.Theyjustbuiltupandmanifestedthemselvesindifferentways.AndIwasnormallytheonetobearthebruntofhismoodswings.
Istoodup.“You’reright,”Imuttered.“Idon’tsharethesameenthusiasmasyoufor
theserituals.”“I’vewarnedyoubefore.Ifyoudon’talignyourselfwiththewillofour
Ancientsastherestofusdo,soonerorlateryou’llfallintotroubleagain.Andthistime,Iwon’tbeabletomakeanymoreexceptionsforyou.”Hewalkedovertomeandgrippedmyshoulders.“Don’tyoutrustme?Isthatwhatthisis?After
allwe’vebeenthroughtogether,youstillcan’tsurrender?”Istaredintohisintenseblackeyes.ItfeltlikeIalreadyhadlostmyselfto
him.“YouknowthatIcanmakeyouaspowerfulasme.Icanmakeyoua
Channeler,”hebreathed,hismouthinchesawayfrommyear.“RememberwhatI’vealwaystoldyou,Mona.Withsurrendercomesfreedom.Ifyou’djustletmeshowyou…”
Heletgoofmeandstormedout.Theroomshookasheslammedthedoorshutbehindhim.
Buthislastwordsechoedaroundinmyheadlongafterhe’dleftourapartment.
“Withsurrendercomesfreedom.”Maybethat’swhatIhavetodo.Maybetheonlywayoutofthisdarknessistofirstplungemyselffurtherinto
it.MaybeIhavetobelostinordertobefound.
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’msorryIdoubtedyouaboutthosehumans.”Helinasatperchedontheedgeofherbed.
Erikwasleaningagainsttheedgeofthesmalltableinthecornerofherbedroom,whileIwasseatedinachairinthecorneroftheroom.
“Iwasjustsofearful,”shecontinued.“Wecan’tloseyouagain,Kiev.”Istaredatmysiblings.Itstillfeltstrangetobeintheirpresence.Although
theyweresofamiliartome,theywerealsolikestrangers.IgotupandwalkedovertoHelina,plantingakissonherforehead.Iwanted
topromiseherthatshewouldn’tlosemeagain.Aftereverythingthey’dbeenthroughwithoutme,Iowedthemthatmuch.ButIcouldn’t.JustasIwasn’tabletopromiseMonathatanythingwouldworkoutbetweenus.BecauseIdidn’tknow.Especiallynow.
“Isupposeyouunderstandnowwhyit’snotagoodideatomesswithRhys,”Eriksaiddryly.
Iremainedsilent.“There’ssomethingelseIshouldhavementionedearlier,”Erikcontinued.
“Aroundthebackofthisbuildingisatrapdoor.Noneofusaresupposedtoevenknowitexists,butIcaughtJulissecomingoutofitoneday.Anyway,it’sanundergroundchamber.Thewitches’spellroom.Nevergointhere,nomatter
“
what.”Iraisedabrow.“Onceavampiregoesinthere,hedoesn’tcomeout.Onlywitchesare
allowedinaspellroom.Ifanyothercreaturegoesinthere,thepoweroftheroomdiminishes.Alltheseyearsofbuildinguptheroom’spotency,gonefornothing.Theonlywaytopreventthiswasteistosacrificethepersonwho’ssteppedinside.”
“Sacrifice?”Eriknoddedgrimly.“Idon’tknowwhatthey’ddobecausewe’venever
witnessedit.Butjust…stayawayfromthatdamnroom,willyou?”“Promise,Kiev,”Helinasaid,tuggingonmyarm.“Allright.I’llstayaway.”Weallfellsilent.TheimageofTiarniburningaliveatthestakewasstill
freshinourminds.Erikheavedasighandsatdowninachair.“I’msorry,Kiev,”hemuttered.“What?”“I’msorrythatyou’reinthissituationbecauseofus.Iknowit’sfarfrom
ideal.”Hiswordssurprisedme.“Whatsituation?”“Beinghere…onthisisland.Boundtoservethewitches.”“Whywouldyouapologize?Ithoughtyouwerejusttellingmerecentlyhow
greatlifehereis,youtwobeingLordandLadyofthisplace.”Hisshoulderssaggedandherestedhisforeheadinhishand.“Youknowit’snot,”Helinasaidquietly.“Iguessbelievingthatlifeisbetter
herehelpsuscope.”“Well,ifthere’sanythingyoushouldbesorryfor,”Isaid,myvoicerising,
“it’schasingawayMatteoandmakingitlooklikeIsethimup.”Mybloodboiledjustrecallingwhatthey’ddone,thelookinMatteo’seyesas
heboardedhisship.Istillhadn’tforgiventhemforwhatthey’ddone.Iwasn’tsurethatIevercould.
“We’resorryforthattoo,”Eriksaid.
Helinaplacedahandonmyarm.“Butwehadtodoit.Itwouldhavebeentoodangerousforyoutostayontheislandotherwise.IfRhyshadfoundoutyouhadtieswithMatteo…”Shegulped.
Ibrushedherawayfromme.“Youcouldhavetoldmethat.IcouldhavebrokenthingsoffwithMatteo
myself.Therewasnoexcuseforwhatyoudid.”Neitherarguedback.Theirheadshung.Iplacedmyheadinmyhands,tryingtostoprecallingthatpainfulday.I
remainedquietforseveralminutesasIreeledinmytemper.“It’sdonenow,”Isaideventually.Iwalkedoutoftheroom,leavingthemintheirguiltysilence,andexitedmy
sister’sapartment.Onreturningtomyownapartment,IwassurprisedtoseeMonawaitingfor
meinmybedroom.Herhairwastiedbackinatightbun,andsheworeahigh-neckedblackdressthattouchedthefloor.
Shelookedpalerthanever.Herlipstrembledassheopenedhermouthtospeak.
“Ican’tseeyouanymore.”Istoppedwalkingtowardherasatearspilleddownhercheek.“We’vecoveredourtracks.AndnowIcan’tkeepseeingyoubehindRhys’
back.Idon’twanttoberesponsibleforthrowinganotherpersonintothefire.”Iremainedsilent,myeyesfixedonhers.“AndIcan’tkeeplivinginbetweentwomenlikethis.Idon’tevenknow
whatwehadtobeginwith,butwhateveritwas…”Sheswallowedhardandlookeddownatthefloor.“It’sover,Kiev.”
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wasn’tsurethatI’deverbeabletogetthatvampireoutofmysubconscious.ButIknewthatIhadtotry,orIwouldfailtobecomepowerfulenoughtobreakfreefromRhys.TobecomeatrueChannelerofourAncients.
IjusthavetohopethatImakeitouttheotherend.Iwaiteduntilafterthatnight’sritualtotellRhys.Aswecrossedthe
courtyardheadingbacktoourroom,Igrippedhisarmandtuggedhimtoastop.Helookedatmequestioningly.Iledhimtothefountainandstoppedinfrontofit.
Islippedbothofmyhandsintohis.Lookingdownattheground,Iclearedmythroat.
“I’vebeenthinkingaboutwhatyousaid.”MyvoicetrembledasIspoke.“I’lldoit.I’llstopresisting.”
Hisblackeyesboredintome.HisthumbreachedbeneathmychinandpushedmyheadupsothatIwasforcedtofacehim.
“Youknowwhatthismeans,right?”Inodded,mythroatdryingout.“Whydoyouwantthis?”“Iwanttostoplivingmylifeinlimbo,”Iwhispered,shuttingmyeyes.It’stoopainful.
Hebreathedout.“I’vebeentellingyoutotakethisleapsincethebeginning.What’smadeyoudecidenow?”
“BecauseIwanttobeyours,Rhys.Iknowwearebonded,butthatdoesn’tmakemetrulyyoursuntilI’vebecomelikeyou.”
“Whydoyouwantmenow?What’schangedsinceyoureturnedtome?”Ibitmylip.“I’mnotsure.Ijustknowsomethinghaschanged.”Iwincedathow
unconvincingIsounded.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest,frowningatme.“Mona,Ihavetobesureyoureallyarereadyforthis.Becauseoncewestart,
there’snogoingback.YoueithercompletethissuccessfullyandgaintheabilitytochannelourAncients’power,oryoubreak.”
“I-Iunderstand,”Istammered.Hestaredatmelongandhard.Thenhetookmyhandandtransportedus
backtoourbedroom.“Sitdown,”heordered.Isatonthebed.Hebentdowntomylevelandgrippedmyjaw.“You’refearful,”hesaid.
“That’snotagoodfirstsign.”Ibitmylip.“Thisfearmustgo.Youneedtowelcomethischallengewithopenarms,not
fearingit.”Hestoodupabruptly.“Getup.”“What?”“Walkovertothebalcony.”Istaredathim,confused.Heglaredandpointedtotheopenbalconydoors.“Standuponthebalconyrailing.Butdonotusemagictobalanceyourself.”Ieyedtherailing.“There’snowayIcanbalancemyselfonthatwithoutmagic.”“Justdoit.”Ithrewhimanotherglancebeforemakingmywayovertothebalcony.I
lookedovertheedge.ThenIwishedIhadn’tremindedmyselfhowmanyhundredsoffeetwewereaboveground.
Igrippedtherailing.Chillsranacrossmyskin.“There’snowayIcandothiswithoutmagic,”Irepeated.Hewalkedontothebalconyandstoodnexttome.“DoyouthinkIwouldaskyoutodothisifIthoughtyouincapableofit?Do
youthinkIwanttomurderyou?”Idon’tknow.“No,”Imuttered.Keepingmyeyesawayfromthesteepdrop,Iliftedoneshakingfootontothe
ledgeandtriedtobalancebeforeraisingtheotherone.Thisisimpossible.Iheldontooneofthebalconypillarsasbothfeetwerenowbalancingonthe
railing.“Nowletgoofthepillar.”Myhearthammeredagainstmychest.There’snowayIcandothis.Closingmyeyes,Ichantedabalancingcharminmymind,hopingthatRhys
wouldn’tnoticeIwasusingmagic.Iletgo,pretendingtoflailmyarmsaboutasIbalancedperfectly.AsImovedawayfromthecolumnandwalkedtothecenter,thespelllifted.
Agustofwindblewagainstme,makingmelosemyfooting.Gravitysuckedmedownward,andthewindrushedpastmeasIhurtledtowardtheground.
Itriedtoscreamoutalevitationcharmbutitdidn’thaveanyeffect.Mypowersseemedtohavecompletelydrainedoutofme.MyeyeswateredfromthewindandIclosedmyeyes,preparingfortheimpact.
Iexpectedmybodytoshatter,butinstead,Ifoundmyselfbeingcaughtbytwostrongarms,mybodyparallelwiththeground,aboutthreefeetawayfromit.Rhyswaslevitatingaboveme.
Heloweredmegentlytotheground,thenpulledmeupright.MykneescrumpledandIcurleduponthefloor,shaking.“Itoldyounottousemagic,”Rhyssaid.
“IwouldhavefallenevenfasterhadInot,”Igasped,glaringupathim.“That’snotthepoint,”hesaidcalmly.“Itoldyounottouseit.Ifyouwantto
succeedatthis,youneedtofollowmyinstructionsblindly.Youarenottoconsidertheconsequences.”Hebentdownclosertome,brushingthehairawayfrommyface.“Youronlydutyistotrustme.”
Icontinuedtoshake.“Clearly,youstillhavenotunderstoodthis.Youneedmorepractice.
Tomorrow,we’llgiveyoujustthat.”Morepractice.HiswordsplaguedmeasIlayinbedthatnight.
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hysmadeusleaveourapartmentearlythenextmorning.WestoppedoutsidehisauntIsolde’sdoorafewmetersalongfromours.
Thewitchcametothedoorafterafewknocks,wearingawoolennightgown,herlonggrey-streakedhairtiedupaboveherheadinabun.
“MonaandIwillbeleavingforawhile,”Rhyssaid.“I’mnotsurewhenwe’llreturn.Sogoonwiththeritualswithoutus.”
Isoldepursedherlipsashercoldeyessettledonme.“Whereareyougoing?”Rhysglanceddownatme,thenlookedbackathisaunt.“MonahasdecidedtobecomeaChanneler.”Sheraisedhereyebrows,eyeingme.“Doessheunderstandwhatthatinvolves?”“Shewillsoon,”Rhyssaid.“Verywell.”Isoldeclosedherdoor.Rhysgrippedmyarmandledmefurtheralongthecorridor.“Whenareyougoingtogivememymagicback?”Iaskedirritably.“Notyet.”“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”Hestoppedshortandglareddownatme.
“You’llsee.”Hereachedoutsuddenlyandheldbothofmyhandsinhis.Wevanished
fromthespot.Severalsecondslater,Ifeltsandbeneathmyfeet.Iopenedmyeyesandas
thescenearoundmecameintofocus,myheartskippedabeat.“Theogres’island,”Igasped,grippingRhys’armsohardtheblooddrained
frommyknuckles.ItfeltlikeIwaslivinganightmareasIstaredupattheblackmetalgatethat
toweredoverus,itsspikestoppedwithhumanheads.“Ican’tbehere!Iftheyfindme—”
“They’llbreakyourbonesonebyoneandthenskinyoualive.Iknow.Youmurderedtheking’sson.”
“Theywhyarewehere?Areyouinsane?”Rhysremainedcalm.“Doyoutrustme?”Istaredathimdisbelievingly.“Trustyoutowhat?”“Toholdyourlifeinthepalmofmyhand.”Ipaused.“Youalreadydo,”Iwhispered.“No.Youhaveachoice.Icangiveyoubackyourmagicandwecanreturnto
theisland.Youdon’thavetodothis.”Ilookedagainatthedarksilhouetteofthosegates,shudderingatthescreams
thatseemedtopiercethroughthemountainsthemselves.Thesmellofroastingfleshdriftedoverthekingdom’shighwalls,beingcarriedbytheseabreeze.Itwaslunchtime.
ButIdohavetodothis.Idon’thaveachoice.Ilookedupathimagain.Hiseyesremainedfixedintenselyonmyface,asif
studyingmyeveryemotion.“I-I’lldoit.”“That’snotwhatIaskedyou.”“I…trustyou.”“Areyouafraid?”
Ibitmylowerliptostopittrembling.“Ifyoureallytrustme,youwon’tbeafraid.”“I’mnotafraid.”Heranahandthroughmyhair,brushingawaythestraystrandsfrommyface
andtuckingthembehindmyear.“Hm,”hemuttered.“We’llseeaboutthat.”Hegrippedmyarmagainandbeganmarchingmefullspeedtowardthe
skull-toppedgates.Witheachstepwetook,mykneesfeltweaker.Hestoppedafewfeetawayfromitandletgoofme.“Nowyouwillknockonthisgate,andwaituntiltheyanswer.”IwassurethatIwouldhaveaheartattackbeforetheogreseveropenedthe
gate.“Wh-whatwillyoudo?”“WhatImayormaynotdodoesn’tconcernyou.JustdoasIsay.”WhatiftheysnapmeintwothemomenttheylayeyesonmeandRhys
doesn’tevenhaveachancetointervene?Heturnedonhisheelandbeganwalkingawayintheoppositedirection,
towardthesea.Ilookedafterhimdesperately.“Wait!”Icroaked.“You’renotevengoingtogivemeaknife?”Heglaredbackatmeoverhisshoulder.ThatwasalltheanswerIneeded.Blindsurrender.That’swhatRhysdemandsofme.Iturnedbacktofacethegatesagain.Mykneeswereshakingsomuch,itwas
astruggletosupportmyownweight.EventhoughIfeltinsane,Iclosedthedistancebetweenmyselfandthegates.
Pickinguparockfromtheground,IslammeditwithallthestrengthIcouldmusteragainstthemetal.Thestonehittingtheirongaveoffaneerierattle.
Itookastepbackandlistened.Adeafeningcrackpiercedthroughtheairasthegateunbolted.Thenthere
wasacreakasthegatesopened.IwhirledaroundandscannedtheshorelineforRhys.Hehadvanished.Onturningbacktofacethegate,Ifoundmyselfstandinginfullviewofagiantogre.Histuskswerestainedwithgrease,andhe
heldsomekindofroastedlimbinonearm.Ihaddisturbedhislunch.Hismouthdroppedopen.Iwassurethatherecognizedme.Isupposedthat
thewholekingdomwouldhavebeenputonalertforme.“Youdareshowyourfacearoundhere?”heboomed.Istoodrootedtothespot.Ididn’tstruggleashehurledmeoverhisshoulderandretreatedwithme
behindthegates.Iclosedmyeyes,tryingtoblockouttheterrorandfocusonRhys’words.Hiscalmface.Hissteadybreathing.
“Doyoutrustme?”I’dsaidyes.Nowmorethanever,Ineededthattobetrue.Evenasthegateclangedshutbehindus,IkeptthinkingofRhys.Hewasthe
onlythingIhadtoclingtotokeepmysanity.Ididn’topenmyeyesevenwhentheogreslammedmedownagainstacold
floor.“It’sthekiller!Ihaveher!”theogrebellowedaboveme.Hisshoutsechoed
aroundme.Wemusthavebeeninsidethemountainalready.StillIdidn’topenmyeyes.
Roughhandspickedmeupanddraggedmeacrossthefloor.“She’shere!”Footstepsapproached.Handsclosedaroundmyneck.IgaspedinpainasIwasliftedoffthefloor,
mywindpipebeingcrushed.Still,Idarednotopenmyeyes.Rhyshadn’tevenofferedmeareassurance.He’dsimplyaskedmeaquestion.Itwasuptometodecidewhetherhedeservedmytrust.
Abladeslicedagainstmycheek.Bloodtrickleddowntowardmyneck.Andthenitslicedagain,thistimedeeper,cuttingrightthroughmylowerlip.
Igrippedthecoarsehandsaroundmyneck,tryingtoloosenthemtoletmegaspforair.
Mybackwasslammedagainstacoldwall.Myheadbashedagainstit,addingtomydizziness.Still,Ikeptmyeyesshut.
TheytalkedamongstthemselvesbutIwasintoomuchpaintomakesenseoftheirwords.
“Openyoureyes,”oneofthemshouted.Ikeptthemshut.IfIopenedthemIwouldlosemyselftofearcompletely.Coldfingersforcedmyeyesopen.Ifoundmyselffacetofacewithanogre
quitedifferentfromtheguardwho’dmetmebythegate.Herfeaturesweresharperandmoreregal,herbodymoreshapely.Irecognizedherasthequeenofthisplace.
“Now,holdhereyesinplace,”shesaid,lookingupatoneoftheogreguardstoweringoverme.
Heheldmyeyelidsopen.Iwatchedinhorrorasshereachedforherbeltandwithdrewalongknife.
“Youknowwhatthisis,girl?”Sheglaredatme.“Acarvingknife.WatchasIprepareyouformymealtonight.”
AnotherogreheldmedownasIbegantostruggle.Thequeenreachedformyhandandstretchedoutmyarm.Asshegrazedtheknifeovermyskin,agrinsplitherface.
“Mmm.I’mgoingtoenjoythis.”Shelookedupatatall,slimogreIrecognizedasherking.“Makesureyouwatcheverysecondofthis,darling.”
Rhys,whereareyou?AnysliveroffaithImighthavehadinhimwasevaporatingbythesecond.Whywouldheleaveitthislateifhestillintendedtorescueme?Sheranherhandsalongmyrightarmuntilshereachedmymiddlefinger.I
letoutascreamasshebrokeitwithonesharpmotion.MaybeRhyswantedtogetridofmeafterall.MaybehefoundoutaboutKiev
andthisishisrevenge.IthoughtagainofTiarni,andhowI’dbeenforcedtowatchashe’dpried
awayherfingernailsonebyone.Heissickenoughtodothistome.Mythoughtswereludicrous.TherewasnowayRhyscouldhavefoundout.
Butallabilitytothinkwasslippingawayfromme.Thequeenmovedontomyindexfinger.Anothercrackfilledthedarkhallas
shesnappedthatonetoo.Darknesscloudedmyvision.Iwasclosetopassingout.Theguardbehindmeslappedmyface.
“Nodriftingofftosleep.”Thequeenglaredupatme.“We’veonlyjustbegun.Ifyoustayawakelongenough,andifIseveryouinjusttherightplaces,youmightevenlastuntilthefrying.”
Grinning,shemovedontomythirdfinger.Thensheshriekedandscrambledbackawayfromme,droppingherknifeon
thefloorasthoughshe’dbeenburnt.Theogresholdingmeinplaceletgoatthesametime.MyeyesrolledasItriedtomakesenseofwhatwashappening.
Therecameasuddengushofwind,andthenIwaslyinginsand.Iblinkedandsatup.Iwasbackonthebeachoutsidethegates,withRhysstaringdownatme.
Isworebeneathmybreath,cradlingmybrokenhandagainstmychest.Tearsofpainstreameddownmyface.
“HowdiditfeelwhenyouthoughtthatImightnotcomeforme?”Howdoyouthinkitfelt,youbastard?Iwantedtoyellathim,butIfelt
barelystrongenoughtowhisper.Iclosedmyeyesandwinced,bitingmylipagainstthepain.
“Itwascrushing,wasn’tit?”“Whatwasthepointofallthat?”Igasped.“Whydidn’tyoucomeforme
beforethebitchbrokemyfingers?”Igroaned.“Now,youwon’tforgethowdoubtingmeisassociatedwithpain.It’snota
nicefeeling.Andyouwon’twanttofeelitagain.”Thismanisinsane.“Idon’tunderstand.”Afreshboutofpainshotthroughmyarm,lightingmy
nervesonfire.Hebentdownandunclaspedmyinjuredhandfrommychest.Hecuppedmy
handbetweenhis.Afewsecondslater,thepainwasgone.Iflexedmyfingers.Theymovedasifnothinghadhappened.ThenRhysranafingeralongmycheekandlowerlip.Thewoundsstungashetouchedthem,andmyskinbecamesmooth.Heheldouthishandandpulledmetomyfeet,grippingmebythewaisttosteadyme.
“Physicalpaincomesandgoes,”hesaid.“It’sinconsequential.Ameanstoanend.Butthementalpainyouexperiencedwillremainwithyouforever.I
don’tthinkyou’lleverforgetwhatjustwentoninthere.”Youdon’tsay.Hebeganguidingmetowardtheedgeoftheocean.“Whereareyoutakingmenow?”Iaskedirritably.“Now,Iwantyoutofeelwhatit’sliketonotdoubtme.”
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ereappearedinapitch-blackforest.Thesoundofrainonthecanopyofleavesabovewasdeafening,althoughthebroad-leavedtreesofferedsomeshelter.
“Whereare—”IcaughtsightofRhysslippingbehindthetrunkofatree.“Rhys?”Imotionedtofollowhim.“No,staywhereyouare,”hewhisperedback.“I’llberighthere.”Ahowlpiercedthenightair.Therewasarustlingabouttenfeetawayfrom
meinthebushes,andthesoundofsniffing.Afewmomentslater,amassiveblackwolfboundedintotheclearing.Itsorangeeyesglaredatmeasitbareditsfangs.
“Overhere,”thewolfgrowled.Awerewolf.ButthisbeastwaslargerandmorefiercethananywerewolfI’d
everseenbefore.Therewasmorerustlinginthebushesandhalfadozenmorewolvesentered
theclearing—alljustashuge.“Whatisit?”Oneofthewolvesbegantoapproachcloser,sniffingtheairtocatchmy
scent.
“Awitch.”Adeepvoicespokefrombehindme.IturnedaroundtoseeRhyswalkingoutfromoneofthetrees.“You,”thewolfhissed,glaringatRhys.“He’stheoneIsawbythemountain,”asecondwolfgrowled.“HetookIsiah
andherpack.”We’rekidnappingwerewolvesnow?Whenwillitend?“Yes,that’sme,”Rhyssaidcalmly.“I’dsuggestyouleavenow,”thewolfsnarled.“Unlessyouenjoythefeeling
ofthefleshbeingsuckedfromyourbones.”“Yourwitch,ontheotherhand,”anotherwolfsaid,“canstayaslongasshe
likes.”Itsmouthsalivatedasitlookedatme.Thewerewolvesbegantocloseinaroundus.Rhysgrippedmyshoulder.“Stayback,”hemuttered.Hepushedmetothegroundbehindhimjustastheleaderofthepackleapt
towardus,itsweightcausingthegroundtoshake.AssoonasItouchedtheleaves,aforcefieldshotuparoundme.
Mybreathingquickenedastwowerewolvesleapttowardme,onlytobepropelledbackbyRhys’barrier.
Ididn’tknowwhyRhysdidn’tjustuseoneofhispowerfulcursestofinishthelotinoneswoop.Insteadhewithdrewalongsilverdaggerfromhisbelt.
Maybehewantstoputonashowforme.Astheleaderhurtledtowardhim,hedodgedthecreature’sjawsandswung
himselfupontoitsback.Withonesharpmotion,hestabbedthewerewolfintheneck.Thewerewolf
collapsedandRhysjumpedoff.“Who’snext?”Rhys’growlsoundedjustasfierceasthewerewolves’.Anotherwolfleaptathim.Rhysdodgedagainand,spinninground,sliced
throughtheanimal’sbackleg.Thewolfhowledinagonyandcollapsed,writhingonthefloorasbloodsoakedtheground.
Theotherwolvesnowlookedmorehesitanttoapproach.“What’swrong?Youcan’thandlefightingmemantoman?I’mnoteven
usingmagiconyou.”
Hiswordsincensedthewerewolveswhoremainedstandingenoughthatthreeofthemleaptforwardatonce.IgaspedasoneofthempinnedRhystotheground,knockinghisdaggeroutofhishand.LoweringitsheadtoRhys’face,thebeaststretchedoutitsjaws.Rhysliftedhislegandkickedthewolfhardinitsunderbelly,hardenoughtomakethegiantanimalgroanandloosenitsgripforasecond.ThatwasalltheopportunityRhysneededtostabthewolfintheeyewithhisfinger.
Thewolfhowled.Itlowereditsheadtobitehimagain.Rhyscaughtitsjawsjustbeforetheycloseddownonhimand,thoughitssharpteethmusthavebeencuttingthroughRhys’fingers,hepushedupward,jerkingthewolf’sheadback,andmanagedtoreachforitssecondeye.
Thewolfrolledoffofhimontoitsbackandthrashedaboutontheground.Rhysgottohisfeetandglaredaroundattheremainingwolves.Theystaredbackathim,thenbackedaway.Althoughtheywereclearlyloathto,theydidn’tseeitasworthlosingtheirlivesortheirlimbsoverRhys.
Orperhapstheywerejustplanningtoreturnwithreinforcements.Oncethey’dalldisappeared,Rhysfinallyusedhismagicagain.He
manifestedaropeandtiedthethreewerewolveslyingonthefloortogetherbytheirfrontlegs.Thenhegrabbedtheotherendofitandapproachedme,draggingtheirtremendousweightalongwithhim.Hischestwasheavingashewipedhisforeheadwithhissleeveandbrushedawaytheblackcurlsthatframedhisface.
Hetouchedtheprotectiveboundarysurroundingmeanditdisappearedjustassuddenlyasithadformed.
HeheldouthishandandIgrippedit.Hepulledmetomyfeet.Icouldn’tstopstaringathim.I’dknownhowpowerfulhewaswithmagic.AndI’dknownthathewasphysicallystrongwithoutit.ButI’dhadnoideathathewasstrongenoughtotacklewerewolveswithhisbarehandsandbarelybreakasweat.Thisisvampire-levelstrength.I’dneverseenanywitchdisplaysuchprowesswithouttheuseofmagic.
Rhyswalkedovertohisdaggerand,wipingthebloodoffitwiththehemofhiscloak,sliditbackintoitssheathinhisbelt.
Stillholdingtheendoftheropeattachedtothesufferingwolves,hewalkedbackovertomeandheldmyhand.
Helookeddownatmethroughhisthickdarklashes,stillbreathingdeeplyfromthefight.
Andthen,beforeIcouldstophim,hereachedforthebackofmyneckandpulledmeagainsthim,hungrilyclaimingmylips.HekissedmewithapassionthatI’drarelyexperiencedinhim.Hisrighthandhikedupmydressandrestedonmyinnerthigh,theblackroseetchedinmyskinpricklingbeneathhistouch.
Iwasspeechlessasourlipsparted.Raindropsdrippedfromhisdarkhairontomycheeksashestareddownatme,hiseyesburningwithneed.
“Iloveyou,Mona.”Thismanisgoingtobetheruinofme.
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hystransportedusbacknotbacktoTheShade,buttoourownisland.Asweappearedoutsidethemaindoorofthecastle,IalmostscreamedinfrightasIlaideyesonthebeastshe’dbroughtalongwithus.
Rhystookthewerewolvesdowntooneofthedungeons.Imademywayuptoourchambersatthetopofthecastle.Hereappearedafewminuteslatercarryingatraycontainingajugofdarkredbloodandtwowineglasses.Istaredatthetrayindisgust,daringtobelievethatthiswaswerewolfblood.
Heplacedthetraydowninthelivingroom.Webothchangedintodryclothesandthensatbythefire.
Ihadn’tsaidanythingtohimsincehe’dkissedme.Iwasn’tsurewhattosayanymore.
IunderstoodthathewastryingtotrainmetochannelthepowerofourAncients.Mymindcouldn’tberesistanttohim.ButIdidn’tunderstandhowlovingmewasmixedinwithallofthis.Rhysneverwasonetomixinhispersonalfeelingswithtasksinserviceofourancestors.ButnowIfoundmyselfdoubtinghistruemotivation.
Ishejusttryingtotrainme,orishealsotryingtowinmyheart?Rhyssatbackinhischair,hiseyesfixedonthecracklingfire.Iclearedmythroat.
“So,what’snext?”Rhyscontinuedtostareatthefireplace,hisirisesglimmeringinthe
flickeringlight.Herepliedonlyafterseveralminutes.“Iwantyoutobesafeforwhatisto
come,”hesaid,hisvoicedeep.“Mostwitcheslosetheirmindsbeforetheyevencomeclosetosucceeding.”
AlthoughI’dheardabouthowdifficultitwastobecomeaChanneler,I’dneverunderstoodwhatwasinvolved.Rhys,Julisse,ArielleandIsoldeweretheonlyChannelersamongus.
Rhysglancedatmebrieflybeforereturninghisgazetothefire.“Ithelps,”hecontinued,“tohavesomethingtoclingto.Someonetoclingto.Toplaceyourfaithin.Withoutthat,youfeellikeyou’relostinoblivion.Holdingontosanityisliketryingtograspholdofsandevenasitslipsbetweenyourfingers…Irememberwhatitwaslike.”
Ifeltmoreandmoreuneasywitheachword.“Mostwitchesgetlostandneverfindthemselvesagain,”hecontinued.
“Theylosetheirabilitytofeelanythingbutpainandparanoia.”IwonderedthenifRhyswasoneofthesepeople.Sometimeshispassionand
desirewerealmosttangible—likewhenhe’dkissedmeintherainafewhoursago.Othertimes,hefeltdistant.Althoughheproclaimedlovetome,Ididn’tknowifhewasjustrememberingwhathe’dfeltformebeforehebecameaChanneler.
“So,uh,youhadIsoldetokeepyourfaithin?”Theshadowofasmilecrossedhisface.“Yes.Ihadmyaunt.That’showIpulledthrough.Buteventhen,itwas
difficultbeyondmeasure.”Heturnedtofacemeagain.“Butyousee,thestrongerthebondis,theeasieritwillbe.BeingIsolde’snephew,Ihaveanaturalbondwithher.Butit’sobviouslynotthesameas…alover,forexample.ItwouldhavebeeneasierhadIhadthat.”
Iavertedmyeyestothefloor,feelinguncomfortablebeneathhisgaze.“Ofcourse,youarealreadybondedtome,”hewenton.“Physically.But
mentally,Iknowyou’restillnot.Andthatiswhatwillcauseyouproblemsonce
theprocessstarts.Icanguideyouthroughthis,butonlyifyourmindbecomesonewithmine.”
Istaredathim,mymouthdryingoutashiswordssankin.“AndhowdoIknowwhatyou’resayingistrue?HowdoIknowyou’renot
justsayingallthisbecauseyouwantmetoloveyou?”Hechuckled.“Iwouldhavethoughtthatyou’dknowmebetterthanto
suspectI’dmixupmyownpersonalagendainsomethingasseriousasthis.”Rememberinghowquicklyhe’ddismissedhisownsister’sdeath,Ididhave
troubledoubtinghisintentions.TheonlyguaranteedwayIcansurvivethisisbyfallinginlovewithRhys.
ThoughtsofKievfilledmymind.Buthow?AndwhatifIlosemyselftohimbeforeIevermakeitouttheotherend?
AlthoughRhysstillhadn’texplainedwhatthismysterious“process”was,IknewthatIwouldn’tbethesamepersonafterit.IwouldbelikeRhysandhisfamily.Blindlydevotedtorevivingthepowerandso-calledgloryofourkind.AndifIwasn’tlikethem,theprocesswouldn’thaveworkedandIwouldn’thavegainedthepowersIneededtobreakfreefromhim.
Itseemedlikeanimpossiblesituation.Inordertobestrongenoughtofreemyself,Ineededtolosemyself.ButonceI’dlostmyself,wouldIstillevenwanttobreakfree?
IrealizedthenjusthowdesperateIwas.Evenifmylifeendsupbecomingworse,Ijustcan’tremainstagnantlikethis
anymore.StayingasIamnowisguaranteedruin.AtleastifIsucceedatthis,I’llhavetheabilitytoovercomethebondsthattiemenow.IjusthavetopraythatI’llrememberwhatledmedownthispathtobeginwith…
“I’vebeentryingtomakeiteasierforyou,”Rhyscontinued,pickingupaglassofbloodandtakingasip.“GivingyouadviceonhowtostayoutoftroublesoIdon’thavetopunishyou.I’vebeentryingtoexpressmyownfeelingsforyou.Alltomakethisprocesseasier.”
Icouldn’tbelieveIwasevenentertainingtheideaofbeinginlovewithRhys.Afewmonthsago,Iwouldhavebeenscreamingatmyselftostop.Now,apartofmewaswishingthatitwaseasierformetofallforhim.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,“youdon’tneedanybody.Youcouldgothroughthisallbyyourself.Butthechancesofyoulosingapieceofyourselfaremuch,muchgreater.”
Heplacedhisglassdownonthetableandlookedbackatthefireplace.“Whatisthisprocess?”Iasked.“Youstillhaven’ttoldme.”Hestoodupandbegantopaceupanddowntheroom.“You’llknowwhenit’stime.”Ilookedathiminexasperation.“Can’tyougivemesomeidea?”Hebreathedoutimpatiently.“Whateveritisdoesn’tchangewhatyouhavetodo.Youneedtotrustmeon
this.”Hewalkedovertomeandbentdownsothathiseyeswerelevelwithmine.
Hisfacewasfilledwithconcern.“Mona,Idon’twanttoriskbreakingyou.I’vewitnessedtoomany
unsuccessfulattemptstowanttowitnessanotherone.”Icouldpracticallyseethedarkmemorieswhirlingbehindhiseyesashespoke.
“Allright,”Icroaked.Silencefellbetweenusaswestaredateachother.Slowly,cautiously,hetookaseatnexttome.“Idon’tknowwhatmoreIcansay,”hebreathed.“Thereisn’tanythingmore,”Iwhisperedafterapause.Bracingmyselffor
whatIwasabouttosay,Ishutmyeyes.“Iwillloveyou,Rhys.”Ifeltinsanehearingmyselfsaythosewordsoutloud.
Heexhaledsharply.Ileantclosertohim,brushingmycheekagainsthis,breathinginhisscent.
Hereachedup,caressingthesideofmyface.Iremainedstill.Feelingthemoment,thespaceweweresharing.
Islippedmyhandbeneathhisshirt,runningitupalonghisbroad,muscularchest.Ishiftedmyselfontohislap,mylegsspreadouteithersideofhimonthecouch.
Hisexpressionremainedseriousasheheldmywaist.Allowingmetotakethelead.Iunbuttonedhisshirtandsliditoffhisshoulders,downhisarms.
“Undressme,”Iwhisperedintohisear.Hebetrayedhishungerformeashescoopedmeupinhisarmsandlaidme
downinhisbed.Hedrewouthisdaggerandrippedthroughmydress.Ishiveredasthetipofthebladegrazedmyskin.Removingtherestofhisclothes,hespreadhimselfoutoverme.HegroanedasIpulledhisfaceagainstmineandpushedmytonguebetweenhislips.Hepressedmeharderintothemattress,hisweightmakingitastruggletobreathe.
IwastryingtolosemyselfbeneathRhys’touch.Lethimenvelopmyheartandsoul.ButtheharderIworkedtoforgetthevampire,themoreimagesofhimcamefloodingthroughmybrain.
No.Thisisnogood.AsRhys’needbegantoconsumehim,Igrippedhisthickhairandtugged.“Wait,”Igasped.Helookeddownatme,hiseyeshooded,andfrowned.“What?”Heliftedhimselfupawayfrommeandallowedmetositup.Ileanedagainst
theheadboardandburiedmyfaceinmyhands.AmIreallygoingtoriskthis?WhatchoicedoIevenhavenow?MythroatfeltparchedjustthinkingaboutwhatIwasabouttodo.“DidIhurtyou?”Rhyslookedatmewithconcern.“No,no.Rhys.Ijust…IthinkIneedyoutogivemeamemorypotion.”Hislipspartedinsurprise.“Amemorypotion?”“It’sjustthateverytimeyoutouchme,Ikeeprememberingthetimewhen
wewerebestfriends,”Ilied.“AndIfindithardtobetrulyintimatewithyou.Itfeelsstrange.”
Henoddedslowly.“Butnotacompletememorywipe.”“No,ofcoursenot,”Isaidquickly.IrecalledonepotionIhadmaderecently
beforeweleftforTheShade.Itwastotestoutonahuman.They’dwantedto
eraseonlyselectmemoriesfromhisbrain.“Allright,”hesaid.Ireachedoutandbrushedahandoverhischeek,attemptingasmile.‘Thatway,itwillbeafreshstartforus.”
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staredatthedarkgreenliquid.I’dconcocteditinthecastle’sspellroomwithRhys.Butnowthatitwasmade,I’daskedtobeleftalonewhileIwentaboutwipingthememories.I’dretreatedtothesparebedroomofourapartment.He’dunderstoodmydesireforprivacy.
IsatontheedgeofthebedandreachedforthejugI’dfilledwiththepotion.Ipouredsomeintoametalgoblet.Sniffingit,Ialmostchokedfromhowfoulitsmelt.
Iplacedthegobletonthebedsidetableandstaredatit.Myeyesglazedoverwithtearsandmyhandsweretrembling.
Thisisit.Therewillbenogoingbackafterthis.NowthatIwasonthevergeoflosingthevampireforever,thefullimpactof
howmuchIhadgrowntoneedhimhitmefullforce.Ifeltwinded.Whatwereyouthinking,Mona?Ofcourse,ifyoueraseeverythingthat’s
happened,it’sunlikelythatyou’lleverbewithhimagainevenifyoudomanagebysomemiracletoremembertobreakfreefromRhys.He’llbeastrangertoyou.Andhemayhavealreadyfoundsomeoneelse.Hehasnoproblemfindingwomentosharehisbed.
Ishookmyhead,tryingtoclearmyhead.Itwasuselesshavingthese
thoughtsnow.Tryingtosteadymyhand,Ipickeduptheglassagain.Ishutmyeyesandtookthefirstsip.BeforeIswallowed,thememoryofthefirsttimeI’dlaideyesonthe
vampireflashedacrossmymind.IforcedoutmemoryaftermemorywitheachgulpofthepotionItook,eachanotherpuncturetomybleedingheart.
BythetimeI’dfinishedhalfofthejug,tearswerestreamingdownmycheeks.Itwashardtocontrolmysobs.
Rhysknockedonthedoor.“What’swrong?”Hesatdownnexttomeonthebed.
“I’msorry,”Igasped.“It’sjustthesememories...I’mgoingtomissthem.”Heremainedsilent,sittingwithmeforafewminuteswhileIcried.Thenhe
gotupandlefttheroomagain.IguessedhethoughtthiswasjustsomethingIhadtoworkthroughonmyown.
AfterI’dfinishedthejug,IlefttheroomandclimbedintoRhys’bed,slidingbeneaththecovers.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundme,strokingmyforehead.
AsIlaythereinhisarms,Iwasdeterminedtostayupallnight.Becausenowthosememorieswerealiveinmymind,morevividthaneverbefore.Andforonce,Iallowedmyselftogetlostinthem.Iallowedmyselfthisonelastindulgence,becausebythemorning,theywouldallbegone.
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henmorningarrived,IwokeuptofeelRhys’breathingagainstthenapeofmyneck.WhateverI’dtakenthatpotiontoforgetwasgonefrommymind.Icouldn’trememberanythingaboutit.Butitmusthavebeendeartomebecausemycheekswerestainedwithtears.
Irubbedmytemples,realizingthatIhadaheadache.Andmybladderfeltlikeitwasabouttoburst.I’ddrunkawholejugofthatliquid,afterall.Irushedtothebathroom.Inthemirrormyskinwaslookingpaleasusual,thecirclesbeneathmyeyesdarkasever.
WhenIreturnedtothebedroom,Rhyshadwokenup.Hesatleaningagainsttheheadboard,lookingmeoverasIapproachedthebed.
“Getdressed,”hesaid,standingup.“Iwanttotakeyousomewhere.”Oncewewereready,heheldmyhandsinhisandwevanished.Thenextfew
secondswerechaosaswindhowledaroundus.ThenIfeltawarmbreezeagainstmyskinandsolidgroundbeneathmyfeet.Openingmyeyes,Itookastepback.
Wewerestandingatthefootofawaterfall,thecrashofwavesfillingoureardrums.Igaspedatthesheerbeautyoftheplace.ThetreestoweredupalmosthigherthanIcouldseeandtheirleavesspreadouttoformashimmeringcanopy,shelteringusfromthesun.Therewerebrightflowers,andbutterfliesthesizeofRhys’hand.Alilacmisthungoverthechurningwaters.
Thenitdawnedonme.“Aviary,”Igasped,lookingupatRhys.Henodded,givingmeasmallsmile.MemoriesofbeingtrappedhereservingArroncamefloodingback.I’d
escapedthisplace.ButforsomereasonIcouldn’trememberhow.“Whyarewehere?Isn’titdangerous?”Rhyschuckledandshookhishead.“Notwhileyou’rewithme.Astowhywe’rehere…”Hescoopedmeupinhisarmsandledmeclosertothewater.Ithoughtthat
hewasgoingtojumpinwithme.Instead,hewalkedaroundtheedgeofthepoolandduckedbehindthewaterfall.ThesoundsweredeafeningnowasRhyswalkedintoacavebehindthefallingwaters.
Thebeautyoftheplacetookmybreathaway.Therewasawidepatchofsoftmossinthecenter,surroundedbyanarrayofpreciousstonesandgems.Hewalkedovertoitandputmedown.Heloweredhimselfnexttome.Webothsatstaringatthegushingwater.
Althoughitfeltodd,IappreciatedRhys’romanticgesture.Hewasmakinganefforttomakethiseasierforme.
“Thankyouforbringingmehere,”Isaidsoftly,lookingupathim.Henodded.Ireachedforhishand,afewinchesawayfromme.Ihelduphisbranded
palmandranafingeroverit,tracingtheoutlineoftheblackrose.Ipressedmylipsagainstthecenterofhispalmandwatchedthebrandcomealive,evenasmyownrosebegantingling.
Rhysraisedabrow,asifaskingforpermissiontotakethingsfurther.Ilaybackonthegrass,neverbreakingeyecontactwithhim.Slowly,hebent
overmeandbeganeasingmeoutofmydress.Thenhestoodupandundressedhimself.Justlookingathismuscularphysiquemademefeelweakandvulnerable.
“Kissme,”Iwhispered.Heleantovermeandgrippedbothofmyarms,pullingmeintostanding
positionagainsthim.Goosebumpsranalongmyskinasheproppedmeup
againstthewallofthecave.Andthenhislipswereonmine.Hekissedmeslowlyatfirst,butsoonhe
wasravishingme.Heleftmylipsandbeganpressinghismouthagainstmyneck,suckingonmyskinandgrazingmewithhisteeth.
Hetouchedmyfeettotheground,leavingatrailofkissesashemadehiswaydownmybody.Hestoppedjustabovemynavel.
Igrippedhishairasheranhishandsdownmylegs.“I’vealwayslovedyou,Mona,”hebreathedagainstmystomach.“AndIcan
fulfillyou,ifyou’lljustletme.”Hefellsilentashebegantomakelovetome.Itwasstrange.AlthoughI’dmadelovetoRhysbefore,somehow,that
morningfeltlikethefirsttime.
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tfirst,Ifoundmymindwanderingoccasionally,wonderingwhatitwasIhadmademyselfforget.Itwasstrangehavingablankspaceinmymemory.ButthenIstoppedthinkingaboutit.Itwasidiocytryingtoremember.WhateverI’dforgotten,itwastohelpmovemeforward.
IwassurprisedbyhoweasyitwastofallforRhys.Overthefollowingweeks,Rhyskeptmealonewithhiminthecastle.Withhisattentiononmenightandday,hebecamemylifeasmuchasIbecamehis.Itwasasifnobodyexistedintheworldbutus.
Hispassionconsumedme,somuchthatIcouldn’thelpbutreturnit.Whensomeonedesiredandwantedtopleaseyousointensely,itwashardtonotreciprocate.
Andthatreciprocation—althoughsmallatfirst—setmeontherightpath.ItwasthesparkthatlitthefireI’dthoughtwaslongextinguished.
IfoundmyselfwantingtosatisfyRhysashewassatisfyingme.Ifoundmyselfwantingtobringasmiletohisface,tolavishmyownaffectionsonhim.
Althoughweremainedawayfromeverybody,hedidn’tjustkeepmeontheisland.Hetookmetosomeofthemostbeautifulplacesinallofthesupernaturalworld.MostoftherealmshetookmetoIhadnevervisitedbefore,someIhadn’tevenknownexisted.Heromancedmeineachofthem.
Slowly,Ifoundmymindbecomingalignedwithhis.Mydesiresbeginningtomatchhisown.Ifelldeeperanddeeperintohim.
HeconsumedmymindsomuchthatIevenwonderedwhetherhewasusingmagiconme.ButIdoubtedit.Myfeelingsforhimhadtobegenuineorthiswholeexercisewouldbepointless.Rhyshadtoldmethatnomagiccouldlastduringthetransformation,whateveritwas.
Oneevening,wewerelyingnexttoeachotheronadesertedbeachinTheCove,therealmofthemermaids.Istaredupatthestarrynight,holdinghishandinmine,listeningtothewavescrashingagainsttheshore.Awarmbreezeblewoverus.
Ileanedonmyelbowandlookeddownathim.Runningahandthroughhisdarkhair,Iplacedakissonhischeek.
“Whydoyouloveme?”Iwhispered,staringintohiseyes.HisAdam’sapplemovedasheswallowed.Ithoughthewasabouttoanswer,
buthestoodupandpulledmetomyfeet.Holdingmyhand,heledmetowardthewaves.Hestoppedoncethewaterwasatmywaist.
“There’sfireinyou,Mona.”Heranhishandsthroughmyhair.“AndIdon’twantyoutolosethat.”
Ihadnoideawhathemeantbyfire.Ithoughtbacktomypast.Icouldn’trememberatimesinceI’dlefttheSanctuarythatIhadfeltmuchfireinme.ExceptforthesepastfewweekswithRhys,itfeltlikeIwasgaspingtokeepmyheadabovewaterandnotbeovercomebythedarknesssurroundingme.
“MaybeIseeapieceofmyselfinyou.”Heleaneddownandtouchedhisnoseagainstmine,closinghiseyes.Webothremainedsilent,listeningtothelappingwavesaroundus.IrealizedthatwhetherIlikeditornot,Rhysalsoheldapieceofmenow.
Howlargeapieceitwas,Iwasbeginningtobefearfulof.ButnowthatI’dlethimin,Iwasn’tsurethatIcouldeverfullylethimout.Theseweekshadbeensointense,justthetwoofus.ItfeltlikeI’dallowedhimtomakeamarkonmethatranfardeeperthanmyrose.
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twouldhavebeenalietosaythatIdidn’tseeitcoming.I’dknownwhatIhadwithMonawastemporary.EventhatsmallrespiteIhadboughtusbykidnappingthehumanshadcomewithaheavyprice.
Sowhenshetoldmeitwasover,itwashardlyasurprise.Therewasn’tmuchelseeitherofuscoulddo.MonawasboundtoRhys.Shecouldn’tleavehim,evenifshe’dwantedtobewithme.
Still,Icouldn’tshakethefrustrationthathadboiledupwithinmeasshespokethewords.Whenshe’dlefttheisland,I’dthoughtitwouldpass,butitdidn’t.Ifanything,itgrewworse.
Itriedtodistractmyselfaroundtheisland.Buttherewasn’tmuchtobedistractedbyotherthantheghastlyritualsthatwereheldeachevening.Therestofthetime,therewasn’tmuchtodo.Evenmysiblingsdidn’tappearbusydespitethefactthatweweresupposedtoberulersofthisisland.
Helinahadexplainedthattherewereoftenlongperiodsofinactivity.Thensuddenly,someofuswouldbesentonrandomerrandsthatwereoftenurgentandcouldtakeseveraldaystocomplete.Butmostofthetimetheywerefree,aslongastheyturneduptotheritualsintheevenings.
ItwasstilluncleartoallofuswhatexactlyIsoldefeltclosetobreakingthrough.Thewitchesdidn’tdiscussanythingimportantwiththevampires,
confirmingmysuspicionthattheyjustsawusasslaves.Pawnsinwhatevergametheywereplaying.Ididn’tbotherasking.Itwasn’tliketherewasanyoneIcouldasknowanyway,nowthatMonaandTiarniweregone.Iwasn’tonspeakingtermswithanyoftheotherwitches.
IspentasmuchtimewithmysiblingsasIcouldtotakemymindoffofthewitch’sabsence.TherehadbeensuchahugegapsinceIlastsawthemthatweneverranoutofthingstotalkabout.AndIappreciatedthetimetogettoknowmysiblingsbetter.
Istillgrilledthemnowandthenaboutwhatthey’ddonetoMatteo.Butdeepdown,Iknewthattheyhadn’tdoneittohurtme.Theyhadactedoutofpanic,thinkingtheywereprotectingme.
IfelttheurgetoseekoutMatteoandSaira,butitwasanimpossibletask.Foronething,mysiblingstoldmethatIwasboundtothisislandnowandwasn’tallowedtoleaveformorethansevendayswithoutpermission—thankstotheirinitiatingmewhileIwasdrunk.I’daskedwhatwouldhappenaftersevendays,buttheyrefusedtotellme.Iwonderediftheyevenknewthemselves.
Inanycase,Idecidedthatitwaswisenottoriskit,andHelinahadmademepromisethatIwouldn’t.
Wecontinuedtoattendtheritualseverynightalongwithalltheothervampiresandwitchesontheisland.ItseemedthatforsomereasonIsoldehaddecidedtostartsacrificingmorethanonehumanatatime.Iassumedshethoughtitwouldmaketheritualmorepowerfulandbringherclosertowhateveritwasshewastryingtoachieve.
Inanycase,Isoldeannouncedonemorningatbreakfastthattheywererunninglowonhumans.SinceRhyswasawayandEfrenstilllockedhimselfinthespellroomalldaytomournoverhissister,Isoldedidsomethingoutoftheordinary.
Aftereverybodyelsehadleftthehall,whilemysiblingsandIhadstayedbacktofinishourdiscussion,sheapproachedus.
Sheclearedherthroat.“Icoulduseyourhelp,”shesaid.“Forwhat?”Erikasked.“Ithinkyouthreewillbeasgoodasanyinhelpingmestockuponhumans.
I’dlikeyoutocomewithme.”ErikstaredfrommetoHelina.“Yes,”Isaidimmediately.“We’llhelp.”ThiswasperfecttotakemymindoffthingsandI’dbeencurioustoknow
wheretheygotthesehumanseversinceIarrivedonthisisland.“Obviously,youaresworntosecrecy.”“Ofcourse,”Eriksaid,followingmylead.IwasstillsurprisedIsoldehadaskedus.Isupposedthatsheknewwewere
allboundtothisislandandattheirmercy,soitwasn’tliketherewasmuchwecoulddowiththisknowledge.Andnowthatherregularcompanionsweregone,wewereasgoodasany.
“I’mplanningtoleavetonight,”shesaid.“Meetmeinthecourtyardaftertheritual.”
“Isthereanythingweneedtobringwithus?”Helinaasked.Thewitchstaredather.“Justyourobedience.”
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ereturnedtothecastleearlythenextmorning.AswearrivedbackinRhys’bedroom,heclosedthedoorandturnedtofaceme.
“It’stimeformetogiveyouyourmagicback.Ithinkyou’reready.”Istaredathim,myheartbeatquickening.“A-areyousure?”Hesmiledandnodded.“You’vechanged,Mona.Icansensewhenyourmindisonotherthings,and
nowit’snot.Iamyourworldnow.”Icouldn’targuewithhisstatement.Isatdowncross-leggedinthecenterofthelivingroomandheheldouthis
palms.Iclosedmyeyesasaflashoflighthitmeinthechest,andmywholebodybegantinglingasmypowersreturnedtome.
MykneeswobbledasIstoodup.Igrippedthebackofanarmchair.Ilookedathimnervously.“Andnowwhat?”Hiseyesboredintomine.“It’stimetodowhatI’vebeenpreparingyoufor.We’llleaveinanhour.”
Rhysvanishedusfromhisapartment.Oncethewindstoppedwhirlingaround
us,myfeethitsolidground.Iopenedmyeyes.Wewerestandingonablackpebblebeach.Afreezingwindblewagainstus.Idrewmycloakcloser.
“Wherearewe?”Iwhispered.Hedidn’tanswermyquestionandinsteadledmetowardthefootofacliff.
Therewasaheapofbouldersatitsfoot.Webeganclimbingoverthebouldersandsoontheentranceofacavecameintoview.
Rhysclimbedupintotheentranceandhauledmeupafterhim.Hegrippedmyarm,pullingmeclosertohimaswewalkedfurtherintothecave.Itwassodarknowthatwe’dleftthelightofthemoon,IwassurprisedthatRhyshadacluewherehewasevengoing.Istumbledoverrocksevenashewassupportingme.
“Wherearewegoing?”“Shh.”WewalkedalongwhatfeltlikeawindingtunneluntilIcouldnolongersee
theentranceofthecave.Rhysstoppedsuddenly.Metalclickedandadooropened.Astreamoflightfloodedout.Wewalked
throughthedoorandfoundourselvesinanothertunnel—butthistimelanternshungfromthewalls.Theairfeltcoldernowthatweweretravelingdeeperintothemountain.
Rhyskepthisgriponme.Wewalkedforwardforseveralminutesuntilwereachedanotherolddoor.Hegrippedtherustingironhandleandwithtwohandstwisteditopen.
Thetemperaturefellyetagain.IshiveredandhuddledclosertoRhys.HelifteduphiscloakandcloseditaroundmeasIgrippedhiswaist.
Icastmyeyesaroundthecircularchamberwe’djustentered.Thischamberwasn’taswelllit.Therewerejustfourlargelanterns,eachcastingflickeringshadowsalongthewalls.Thefloorslopeddownwardtowardapoolofblackliquidinthecenter.
“Whatisthat?”Rhysdidn’tanswermeaswenearedit.Itwasthick,yetgrainyliketar.Icouldn’timagineforthelifeofmewhatit
was.
Theliquidparted.Iscreamedasawoman’scorpseemergedfromit.Atleast,Ihadthoughtitwasacorpse.Thewoman’sbodyshudderedasshe
drewinadeepraspingbreath.Thehallfilledwithastenchofdecay.Rhysclaspedahandovermymouthandpulledmeafewstepsback.Shereachedaskeletalarmoutofthewaterandbrushedstrandsofblackhair
awayfromherface.Myhearthammeredinmychest.Boneprotrudedfromthetopofherforeheadandherlipswereshriveled.
Therewerepatchesofskinmissingfromhernose,revealingbarecartilage.Hereyeswereblackasbeetles,smallandshrunken.
“Whatisshe?”Ibreathed.EvenRhys’breathinghadquickened.“Throughus,thespiritsofourAncientsliveon.Theystillwatchoverus.
Somemorethanothers…”Igasped.“AnAncient?ButIthoughttheywereallgonelong—”“Aslongasweremainloyaltothem,theystillliveandbreathewithus.
Lilithisthelasttophysicallyremainwithus.”Lilith.Itwashardtowrapmyheadaroundthisthinghavinganame.Rhys’eyesremainedfixedonherashespoke.Strangewordsraspedfromhermouth.Hervoicewaslowandhoarse,so
muchthathaditnotbeenforherbody,Iwouldhaveassumedhertobeaman.“OnlythosewhowishtobecomeChannelersareadmittedentrancetosee
her,”Rhyssaid.“Otherwise,herexistenceiskeptasecret.”Thewitchspokeinancientwitchtongue.AlthoughRhyshadtaughtmeto
readit,Icouldn’tunderstanditwhenitwasspoken.IlookedupatRhys,bewildered.
Rhysrepliedtoherinthesametongue.Thenheaddressedme.“ShewantedtoknowwhyI’vebroughtyouhere.”Istaredbackatthevilecreaturefloatingintheblackpool.Shewasalmost
bald,exceptforthethinstrandspokingoutfromthefrontofherscalp.Lilithspokeagain.Rhys’griparoundmyhandtightened.
TheAncient’sblackeyesnarrowedonme,andaneeriecluckingemanatedfromhermouth.
IlookedupatRhysagain.“Don’tbreakeyecontactwithher,”hehissed,grippingmychinandforcing
myheadback.IfeltlikeIwasabouttothrowup.Thesmellofthehallandherfrightening
eyesroamingmybodymademefeelviolated.Shecontinuedcluckinghertongueforaslongashereyeswereonme.
Finally,justasitfeltlikeIcouldn’tlookatheranymore,shelookedbackatRhysandspokeagain.Hervoicegratedagainstmyearslikegranite.
Rhyslookedbackdownatme.“She…shewantstotouchyou.”“W-what?”“Youneedtotrustme,”hesaid,glaringdaggersatme.Breathingthroughmymouthtoavoidthestench,Iinchedtowardtheedgeof
thepool.Mykneesbuckled,butasRhysmovedtohelpme,thewitchhissedagain.
Rhysstoppedinhistracks.“Shewantsyoualone,”hemuttered.Thewitchwaswatchingmeintently,whateverskinshehadleftonherlips
pursedindisapproval.ItrembledasIarrivedattheedgeofthepond.Shemovedtowardme.Shehissedagain.“Benddown,”Rhystranslated.Ibentdown.Herarmshotoutandgrippedmyhair.Shetuggedmecloserto
her.Iwassoclosetotheedgenow,Ialmostlostmybalanceandfellfaceforwardintothepool.
Mywholebodyshiveredasslimy,coldfingersbrushedmyforehead.Ihadthehorriblethoughtthatshemightleaveabitofherfleshonmyskinwhensheremovedherhand.
Ibreathedoutasighofreliefwhenshefinallyletgoofme.Iscrambledbackawayfromher,wipingmyforeheadwithmysleeveandstaringather,panting.
Herbeadyeyesremainedonme.Anotherhisscamefromherlips.Rhys’eyeshadbecomewidewithalarm.I
lookedfromtheAncienttoRhys,perplexed,astheywentbackandforthforseveralminutes.Finally,shebaredrottenteethandsnarledatRhys.
Hefellsilentandavertedhiseyestotheground.“Whatisshesaying?”Ihissed.Helookedoveratme,frustrationinhiseyes.Imanagedtogettomyfeetand
movetowardhim.“Staythere.”Hisvoiceboomedthroughthechamber.Iwastakenabackbytheurgencyinhisvoiceandstoppedinmytracks.The
witchwasglaringatme.Mythroatfeltsodryitwasnowpainfultobreathe.RhysspokeagaintotheAncient,nowsoundingresigned.TheAncientnoddedslowly,herchingrazingtheedgeofthepool.Thenherheaddippedbeneaththeblackliquidandshevanished.Whatthehellisgoingon?“Youcancomeherenow,”Rhyssaid.Ilostnotimeinstumblingovertowardhimandgrippinghiscloak.“She’snotconvincedthatyou’reready.”Rhyssaidfinally.Ilookedbackoveratthethickblackliquid.TheAncient’sliquidtombwas
nowstill,asthoughithadneverbeenstirred.“What?”“Shewantsyoutoprovethatyou’reseriousfirst.”“Provemyselfhow?”Hiseyesdarkened.“Doesn’tshetrustyourjudgment?”Ipressed.“Shealwayshasinthepast.Butwithyou…Shewantsyoutodosomething
forherfirst.”“What?”Iwasafraidtoheartheanswer.Rhyspaused,runningahandoverhisface.“Let’sgetoutofherefirst.”
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splanned,wemetwithIsoldeinthecourtyardafewminutesaftertheritualended.Evenonceshe’dapproachedus,shestilldidn’tofferanyexplanationastoourdestination.Shejustmadeusalltouchshouldersinacircleandwevanishedfromtheisland.
Ourfeethitsolidgroundafewsecondslater.Iopenedmyeyesandblinked,myvisioncomingintofocus.Wewereinsomekindofrectangulardungeon.Itappearedemptyatfirstbutonacloserlook,Inoticedsomethingstrangeonthefloor.Iwalkedforwardtoseewhatitwas.
“Wait,”Isoldescolded,grippingmyarmandpullingmeback.“Followafterme.”
Shewalkedforwardandwefollowed.AsIapproachedwithinfivefeetofit,realizationhitmelikeabrick.Adarkholeinthefloorextendeddownwardtoformatunnel.Itswallswere
madeofaswirling,translucentsubstance.Andbeyondthewallslayaseaofendlessblackscatteredwithstars.
Mysiblings’faceslookedhowIfeltinside.Theyhadseenoneofthesetoo.WhentheywerefirstbroughttoCruorfromtheBloodKeep.
Thiswasagatetothehumanrealm.Iwonderednowhowmanymoregatesremainedsecretlyopenandwhere
theywere.ItbroughtbackunwantedmemoriesoftheredheadgirlI’dfallenfor.Sofia.I’dsaidgoodbyetoherstandingoutsideagatelikethis.She’dgivenmeonelastglancebeforesheletgooftheedgeandhurtleddownintotheabyss.Thegatehadclosedsoonafterward.
Pryingmyeyesawayfromtheholeandswallowinghard,Ilookedagainaroundthedungeonagain.
“Wherearewe?”“That’snotimportant,”Isoldesaidcurtly.“Now,I’msureyouallknowwhat
thisis.”Wenodded.“SoI’lljumpfirst,andyoufollowafewsecondsafterme,oneatatime.All
right?”“Allright,”Helinasaid,althoughshewastrembling.Isupposedherlast
memoriesonearthhadbeensotraumaticthatshenowassociatedthehumanrealmwithpain.
Iwrappedanarmroundhershoulder.Therewasn’tmuchIcouldsaytocomfortherthoughwhenImyselfhadnottheslightestcluewherewe’dendup.
Isoldejumpedthroughanddisappeared.“Yougonext,Erik,”Isaid.Heclearedhisthroatandnodded,steppingforward.Heglancedupatus
beforedivinginafterher.“Andnowyou,Helina,”Isaid.Shetrembledasshenearedtheedgeofthegate.Thesuctionbeganpullingat
herhair.Shejumpedthrough.Andthenitwasmyturn.IwassuckeddownthroughthattunnelsofastIcouldn’tkeepmyeyesopen.
Theairpressuresqueezedmybody,makingithardtoevengaspforair.Ilandedonahardsurface.Iclimbedtomyfeetandlookedaround.Wewere
inanotherdimlylitdungeon.HadIbeenahumanIwouldhavebeenshiveringalready.Thecoldwasbiting,thetypethatgnawedatyourbones.
“Good,”Isoldesaid,straighteningoutherlongblackgown.“Followme.”Shegrabbedachainofkeysfromahookonthewall.Shewalkedtowarda
woodendoorinthecornerofthechamberandpusheditopen.Wefollowedherupasetofnarrowstonesteps.Weemergedthroughatrapdoorintoahall.Blackchandeliershungfromthehighceiling.TherewasaclickasIsoldelockedthetrapdoorbehindus.
Wecrossedtheroomandpassedthroughadoorthatledtoacircularhall.Therewasadoortoourright,andastaircaseinthecenterleadingupward.Architecturally,thisplacewassimilarindesigntothecastlebackinmysiblings’island,andalsoRhys’island.Eventhelongdrapesweremadeofsimilarfabric.
Ilookedoutofthestained-glasswindownearestme.Iwasshockedfirstlytoseehowhighupwewere.Thisbuilding—orcastle,itseemed—wasbuiltonthepeakofahighmountain.Therewasthicksnoweverywhere.Inthedistanceatthefootofthemountainwasaforest,asevidencedbythewhitetreetops,andfurtherstillinthedistancewasthesea.
Whereoneartharewe?“Annora,”Isoldecalled,hervoiceechoingoffthewalls.Iturnedaround.Atallyoungwomanwithlongblackhairandcoldgreyeyes
descendedthewidestaircase.Sheworealongblackdresswhichtrailedontheground,similartoIsolde.Evidentlyalsoawitch.
Ileftthewindowandrejoinedmysiblings,whowerewatchingIsoldetalkingtothisstranger.
“We’vecomeformore,”Isoldesaid,rubbingherpalmstogether.“Well,youknowwheretofindthem,”Annorareplied,hervoicesmoothlike
silk.“Takewhatyouneed.We’redueforanotherbatchsoon.”Hereyesglancedovermeandmysiblingsbrieflyandsheraisedabrow.“Newrecruits,Isee.NoRhysandEfrenthistime?”Isoldeshookherhead.“It’scomplicated,”Isoldesaid.ShepausedandlookedatmysiblingsandI.
SheheldoutherringofkeysandEriktookthemfromher.Shepointedtowardadoorinthefarcorneroftheroom.“That’sthekitchen.Inthefarrightcorner,you’llfindtheentrancetoanotherdungeon.Youhavethekeys—it’sthelargebronzeone,andthesmallerbronzeoneswillunlockthecells.Goinandbringoutadozenorsohumans.Herdthemouthere.Don’tletanyofthemscramble
away.Wedon’thavetimetogochasingafterthem.Andonlytakehumansfromthefirstfourcells.Donotgofurtherthanthat.Understood?”
“Yes,Isolde,”Helinareplied.IsoldeturnedbacktocontinueherconversationwithAnnora.Weswepttowardthekitchen.Erikfoundtheentrancetothedungeonandwe
descendedthesteps.Itwasdarkinside.Thesmelloffresh,hothumanbloodwasintoxicating.I
begantosalivate.Screamsandcriesechoedaroundthedungeonassoonastheyrealizedwehadentered.
Erikunlockedthedoorofthefirstcell,whichcontainedhalfadozenhumans,and,withthehelpofHelina,startedgrabbinghumansandpullingthemout.
IwasabouttohelpthemwhenIsmeltit.Atypeofbloodthatwasararitytoourkind.Itssweetnesswasintoxicatinglyfamiliar.AnditremindedmeofSofia.Thiswasthebloodofanimmune—ararespeciesofhumanwhocouldn’tbeturnedintoavampire.
Unabletoresistfollowingthescent,Irushedpastthefirstfourcells.“Kiev!”Erikhissed.“Whatareyoudoing?Shesaid—”“Iknowwhatshesaid,”Isnapped.“Justkeepquiet.I’lljoinyouina
minute.”Iventureddeeperintothedungeonuntilitwasbeginningtoappearless
populated.Ilookedaround,butthescentkeptleadingmefurtherandfurtheruntileventuallythecellsIwalkedbyhadnobodyinthem…exceptforone.
Istoppedshort.Ipeeredthroughthecellandsawadarkfigurehuddledinthecorner.
Iplacedmyhandsagainstthebarsandlookedcloser.Itwasawoman.Shewassittingwithherheadrestingagainstherbunched-upknees.Sheappearedtobe…pregnant.
Shelookedupandgasped.Shehuddledcloserintothecorner,staringatmewithfear.Itookastepback.Thecolorofhereyeshadsentshiversdownmyspine.Theywerebrightgreen.Foroneuncannymoment,itfeltlikeIwaslookingatSofiawhohadoncebeenmyownpregnantcaptive.
Thiswoman’shairwasblackthough,andnowthatIcouldseeherface,sheappearedtobewellinherthirties.Butalthoughshewasn’tSofia,therewassomethingaboutherthatmademebelievethatI’dseenherfacebeforesomewhere.Greeneyes,blackhair.Soft,gentlefeatures.
Think,Kiev.Think.“Brother!”Helinacalledanxiously.“I’mcoming,”Iyelled.Istaredatheroncemore.Andthenithitme.Anna.ShewasSofia’sfriend,andtheonlyotherimmunewho’dinhabited
theNovaks’island.She’dbeenthereinAviarytoo,justasI’dletSofiago.Buthowcanitbe?Howcouldshehaveagedsoquickly?Ihaven’tbeengone
longfromEarth.Irememberedherasayoungwomaninherlateteensorearlytwenties.Now,
thoughstillbeautiful,sheappearedtobeatleastthirty.“I’veseenyoubefore,”Iwhispered.“Anna?”“Kiev,”shebreathed,hereyeswidening.Iwassurprisedsherecognizedme,
sincemyeyeshadn’tyetreturnedtoredsinceMona’sdisappearance.Theywerestillgreen,likehers.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Iasked,eyeingherprotrudingstomach.“Kiev!”Erikbellowed.“Shutup!”Ihissed.“IsaidI’mcoming.”IturnedbacktoAnna,nowlookingatherwithurgency.“I-Iwaskidnappedhere,”shesaid,hervoicecracking.“Idon’tknowwhat
theywantwithme.”Shelookedterriblythinforawomanaspregnantasherandshehaddark
shadowsunderhereyes,herskinpale.Theyweren’tfeedingherenough.Ididn’tneedtobeaphysiciantoknowthatshemightnotmakeituntilbirthifsheremainedhere.
Ididn’tknowwhy,butpaniccoursedthroughmyveins.IspedbackovertomysiblingsandsnatchedthekeysfromHelina’shands.Ignoringmysiblings’protests,IracedbacktowardAnna.
ItwasasthoughmyintelligencehadshutdownandIwasactingonsheer
adrenaline,allconsequencesforgotten.Iunlockedhercellandrippedopenthegate.ShescreamedasItoweredover
her.Icroucheddownandplacedahandoverhermouth.“I’mnotgoingtohurtyou,”Iwhisperedintoherear.“Iknowyou’veevery
reasonnottotrustmeaftereverythingyouknowaboutme.ButIswear,I’llnothurtyou.Youneedtogetoutofhere.Ifonlyforyourbaby’ssake,comewithme.Thisisariskyouhavetotake.”
Herbreathingbecameslowerandshestoppedfightingagainstme.Thoughhereyeswerestillfilledwithdistrustandfear,desperationtookover.
“Justdon’tsayawordandkeepclosetome.”Irippedoffmycloakandswungitoverhershoulders,attemptingtocover
herlargestomachasmuchaspossible.Ipulledthehoodoverherheadtocastashadowoverherface.
Scoopingherupinmyarms,IarrivedbackjustafewsecondsbeforeIsoldecamewalkingdownthesteps,givingmetimetoplaceherfeetdownonthegroundnexttotheotherhumans.
“You’reready?”sheasked,castinghereyesaroundthegroupofhumans.IgrippedAnna’sshoulder,keepingherpositionedclosetomeandshielding
herasmuchaspossiblefromIsolde’sviewbyguidinghertowalkbehindtheotherhumans.Itwasablessingthatmysiblingshadpickedoutsometallmenfromthecells.Mycloakdidsomethingtohideherbulgingform,butitwasn’tenoughformetofeelconfidentallowinghertowalkinclearviewofthewitch.
ErikandHelinaeyedmeandAnnanervouslybutdidn’tsayanythingnowthatIsoldewaspresent.Weherdedthehumansoutoftheprisonandmadeourwaythroughthecastlebacktothedungeonwherethegatewas.WegatheredthemallclosetotheholeinthefloorandIsoldebeganpushinghumansthroughoneatatime.IkeptatightgriponAnna’sarm.AsIsoldeturnedonthelastfewhumans,Isteppedforward.
“Imayaswelldotherest,”Isaid.Hereyesrestedonmequestioningly.Thenshegruntedandjumpedthrough
thegate.IpushedtherestofthehumansthroughexceptforAnna.Ilookedatmysiblings.
“Youtwogonext.”TheystaredatmeandAnnaagain.“Kiev,whatisgoing—”Beforeshecouldfinishherquestion,Ipushedherintothegate.Erik
understoodthatnowwasnotthetimetoaskquestionsandhejumpedinafterHelina.
ThenIlookeddownatAnna.Herfacehaddrainedofallbloodasshelookeddownattheabyss.Shegrippedherstomach.
“Idon’tknowifIcan—”“You’venochoice.Youeithercomewithme…oryougetlockedupagainin
thatprison.”Iheldmyhandouttoher.Shebitherlipand,trembling,reachedformy
hand.“IsuggestIgodownwithyouatthesametime.Imightbeabletocushion
yousomewhatontheotherside.”Ifastenedthecloaktighteraroundher,andmovedhertowardtheedgeofthe
tunnel.Istoodbehindher,herbackasclosetomychestaspossible.IfelthershiveragainstmeasIwrappedmyarmsaroundherwaist.AndthenIpushedusbothin.
Aswefell,Ididmybesttokeepherclosetome,andontheotherend,Ijustaboutmanagedtoprotectherfromthefallbypullingherontopofmeaswelandedonthestonefloor.Still,shelookedlikeshewasabouttothrowupandsheclutchedherstomach,gaspinginpain.
IscrambledtomyfeettoblockIsolde’sviewofherandhelpedhertoherfeet.
Fortunately,thegroupofhumanswasstandinginfrontofussoIsoldehadn’tseenmecomethroughwithAnna.ImadesurethecloakwascoveringherproperlyandlookedoverthecrowdtoseeIsoldewasalreadyformingallthehumansintoacirclewiththehelpofmysiblings.
Iassistedthem,makingsurethatAnnawasnexttome.Onceeveryonehadformedacircleandwewerealltouchingeachother,wevanished.
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wasgaspingforairbythetimewereachedtheentranceofthecave.Ibreathedindeeply.EachsecondthatRhysdelayedtellingmewhatthewitchhadsaidwasanothersecondtheknotinmystomachtightened.
“Tellmenow,Rhys.”Igrippedhisshirt.“She…shewantstotestoutyourmindfirst.Howstrong,howobedientit
is.”Istaredathim.“Soletmegetthisstraight.Thetransformationinitselfisahugeordealthat
mostpeopledon’tsurvive.Yetshewantsmetodosomethingelseinaddition?”Henodded.Heheldmyhandandstartedhelpingmedownthebouldersback
towardthepebblybeach.“Whatmoredoesshewantfromme?”“Idon’tknow.”“What?Howcanyounotknow?Ijustsawhertalkingto—”“Shewouldn’ttellmeexactlywhatitwasshewanted.Shejustsaidthatshe
wantedyouinthatchamberforafewhours…withoutme.”Istaredathim,barelybelievingmyears.“But…allalongtheplanwasforyoutoguidemethrough,bemyrock—”Hegrippedmyshouldersandshookme.
“Yes,”hesaid,glaringdownatme.“Thatstillistheplan.I’llbebyyourside.Butshewantsyoualonewithherbeforehand.”
“Whywouldn’tshetellyouwhatshewasgoingtodowithme?”Icroaked.“Idon’tknow.Itriedtopryforananswerbutsherefusedtogiveme
details.”“Alone,inthere,forhours.”Irepeatedthewordsslowly,lettingthemsinkin,
imagesofthatnightmarishchamberfloodingmymind.“Youhaveanhourtodecide.Ifwedon’treturninanhour,she’llassume
you’renotserious.”Ibitmylipasittrembled.AlthoughtheprospectmademewanttoforgetgainingRhys’powersandjust
returntomyoldlife,IknewthatIcouldn’t.I’dcomethisfar.Andnowthiswasthefinalstep.Ijustcouldn’tgiveupnow.
“I’lldoit,”Imurmured.ConcernfilledRhys’eyesasheheldmyhandsagainsthischest.Webothremainedsilentaswelookedateachother.Perhapshewasstudying
metoseeifthisreallywaswhatIwanted.Thenhenodded.“Verywell.Ifyou’resure.I’llbekeepingtrackofthetimeandI’llreturnto
thechamberassoonastheperiodisover.”Hewalkedwithmebackuptotheentranceofthecaveandthroughthefirst
darktunnel.Oncewereachedthefirstcorridorthatwaslit,heletgoofmeandtookastepbackintotheshadows.
“Youneedtowalkalonefromhere,”hesaid.“Allright,”Iwhispered.IglancedoncemoreatRhys,hopingtodrawsomesortofstrengthfromhim
beforeIlefthim.“Wait.”Heremovedhisbeltandfasteneditaroundmywaistalongwiththe
silverdaggerthatwasattachedtoit.Hepressedmypalmagainstthehilt.“YoumightneedthisforwhateverLilithhasplanned.”
Igulpedandlookeddowntheshadowyhallway.AsIturnedtoleave,hecaughtmyarmandpulledmeflushagainsthim,kissingmehard.
Whenhedrewaway,hiseyeswereblazing.“You’restrongenoughtogetthroughthis.”Hespokethewordsaggressively.
“Doyoutrustme?”Istaredathim,mylipsstilltinglingfromtheforceofhiskiss.“Yes,”Isaid.Andforperhapsthefirsttimeinmylife,Itrulymeantit.
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CH A P T E R 2 2 : K I E V
eallreappearedoutsidethecastleinthecourtyardwherewe’dfirstvanishedwithIsolde.
Weherdedthehumansupthecastlestepsandintotheentrancehall.ThenIsoldeturnedtome,sinceIwasclosesttoher,andhandedmeanothersetofkeys.
“Takethemdowntothedungeonandmakesurethecellsareshutproperly.Wedon’twantanymoreescapes.”
Inoddedandtookthekeys.ShewentintheoppositedirectionandmysiblingsandIledthehumanstowardthedungeon.Iopenedupthetrapdoorandwebundledtheminside.Annawasthelast.Ipickedherupandwalkeddownwithher.Icalledupthetrapdoortomysiblings,“I’lltakethingsfromhere.Youtwocango.”
WhentheylookedhesitanttoleavemealoneIshotthembothglaresandtheydidasI’dsuggested.
Assoonastheyhaddisappearedfromsight,IpickedupAnnaagainand,lockingthetrapdoorbehindme,madeadashacrosstheentrancehallupthestairs.
“Whereareyoutakingme?”shegasped,clutchingmyneck.“Shh.”
IwasworriedI’dbumpintosomeoneinthecorridorsorthestaircasessoImovedasfastasIcould.Iheavedasighofreliefaswereachedmyapartment.Iswungthedooropenandslammeditshutbehindme.Iwalkedintomybedroom,placingAnnadownonthesoftbed.
Iranaroundtheapartmentmakingsureallthewindowsandbalconydoorswereclosed.
IreturnedtothebedroomtoseeAnnahuddleupintothecornerofthebed,breathingheavilyassheclutchedherstomach.
“Whyareyoudoingthis?”shecroaked.Istoppedstillandstaredather.WhyamIdoingthis?Iwasn’tsurethatIknewmyself.Iignoredherquestionandaskedoneofmyown.“Howoldareyou?”Icouldn’tcontainmycuriosityanylonger.“I-I’llbethirty-fivesoon.”Thirty-five.“HowoldwereyouwhenIlastsawyou?”“Iwaseighteen.”Iswore.Seventeenyears.“Howisthatpossible?”Sheswallowedhardbeforereplying,hervoicestilltrembling.“Ithinktime
passesdifferentlywhenyou’rehereinthisrealm…withthesewitches.”“Howdoyouknow?”“Ioverheardacoupleofvampirestalking,backinthedungeon.Timepasses
slowercomparedtoonEarth.”Irubbedmyhead,tryingtoletthisinsanetruthsinkin.Severalminutes
passedinsilence.“TheShade,”Imuttered.“Thatstillexistsand…theNovaksstillruleit?”Shenodded.TheNovaks.Myowndistantfamily.AnotherinsanityIwasstilltryingto
wrapmyheadaround.
Noticingshewasshivering,IsnappedbacktotherealityInowfaced.ThechallengesIhadtoovercome.Iuntuckedtheblanketfromthebedandhandedittoher.Shewrappeditaroundher,stillstaringatmesuspiciously.
“Stayhere,”Isaid.“I’llbebackinafewminutes.Iwarnyou—donotleavethisroom.”
Iflewoutthedoorandrusheddownthestaircasestowardthekitchen.IknewthatwehadproperfoodinthiscastlebecauseI’dseenwitcheseatit.
Theydrankbloodbuttheyalsoateregularfood.Ihuntedaroundthekitchenandfoundsoupinoneofthebigcookingpots.
Therewasbreadonthecountertoo.Ifoundatrayand,heatingupthesoupquickly,pouredaportionintoabowl.Igrabbedthewholeloafofbread,awaterjugandametalgoblet,placingeverythingonthetray.
IcoveredthetraywithatowelIfoundhangingonahookandhopedIwouldn’tbumpintoanyoneonmywaybackup.Irushedbackuptomyroomandslammedthedoorshutbehindme.Annahadn’tmovedfromwhereI’dlefther.
Iplacedthemealonthebednexttoherandremovedthetowel.“Eat,”Imuttered.Shelookedatthefooddoubtfully,butshesoongaveintoherhunger.She
swalloweddownthesoupandfinishedthewholeloafofbreadinlessthantenminutes.Thenshedrankhalfthejugofwater.
Whileshewaseating,Ilitupthefireplace,warmingthecoldroom.Whenshewasdone,sheleanedbackonthebed.Somewarmthhadalready
returnedtohercheeks.Nowthatshehadsomefoodinher,mynextconcernwasthesmellofher
blood.Thiscastlewasfilledwithvampiresandherscentwasasirencalltomykind.I’dclosedallthewindowsanddoorsanddrawnallthecurtains.ButIfearedthatsomemighthavealreadydetectedherscent.Ifeareditwassostrongtheymightbeabletosmellitthroughthewalls.
Ilookedbackather.“Takeashower,”Isaid.Sheraisedhereyebrowsatmebutshedidn’tprotest.Iguessedthatshewas
gratefulfortheopportunitytocleanherself.Iplacedacleantowelandafreshsetofmyownnightclothesinthe
bathroom.They’dbetoolargeforherbutshe’dhavetomakedowiththem.Whileshewasinthebathroom,Isatdownonthebed.WhatamIgoingtodo?Thescentofherbloodwasgettingtomyhead,makingithardtoconcentrate.
Ifoughtbacktheurgetodigmyfangsintohersoftneck.Hell,nevermindhidingherfromtheothers,I’mgoingtoneedtohideher
frommyselfifIdon’tgetaholdonmyself.Iforcedmymindbacktothematterathand.HowdoImaskthescentofher
blood?Irackedmybrains,tryingtorecallanysmellthatwasstrongerthanimmune
blood.Iknewtherewerewaystodilutethescent—likeplacingjugsofregular
humanbloodinmyroom.Still,itwasn’tfoolproofandhavinglotsofhumanbloodinmyroominadditiontohersweetsmellcouldjustattractmoreattention.
OneofMona’scharmsreallywouldbeusefulrightnow…Irealizedthatfornow,thebestthingIcoulddowasstealsomeofHelina’s
perfumeandhaveAnnacoatherselfwithit.I’dhavetoleavetheroomaslittleaspossible,andnotallowanyonein.
“Whathappenedtoyou,Kiev?”Anna’ssoftvoicebrokethroughmythoughts.
Shewasstandingleaningagainstthebathroomdoor,wearingmypajamas.“What?”Ifrownedather.“Well…youreyes,foronething.”“Don’tgettoousedtothem.Theyflickerbackandforth.”Shewalkedovertothebedandsatdownontheedgeofit,stretchingouther
legs.“Idon’tknowwhatthisplaceis,whyyourescuedmefromthatdungeonor
whatyouintendtodowithmebut…Idon’tknow.YoujustseemdifferenttothemanIknewinAviary,whostoleanewbornfromhishelplessmother.”
Hergreeneyeswerefullofhonesty.
Iclearedmythroatandstoodup,suddenlyuncomfortablebeneathhergaze.“Whosechildareyoubearing?”“Kyle’s,myhusband’s.”Kyle.Thenamerangabell.HewasoneofthelastvampiresI’dseenbackin
Aviary.He’dbeentakentherealongwithAnnaandanotherhumanboy.HewastherethenightIletthemallescape.
Silencefellbetweenusforseveralminutes.“Idon’tknowwhyIsavedyou,”Isaid.“AndIalsodon’tknowwhatI’m
goingtoendupdoingwithyou.Sodon’tgettoocomfortablearoundme.”Iwalkedclosertoher.SheflinchedasIreachedouttotouchherforehead.Hertemperatureseemednormal.“Ifyouliedownflat,I’llcheckonyour
baby,”Isaid.Shelookedatmedoubtfully,buttookmeuponmysuggestion.Shelay
downonthebedandliftedtheshirtuptorevealherstomach.SheshiveredasIplacedmycoldhandsoverherbump.Iranmyhandsover
herskin,feelingherstomachatvariouspoints.ThenIspreadoutbothofmypalmsflat.Finally,Iplacedmyearagainstherstomach.
Sensingahealthyamountofmovement,Ipulledtheshirtbackoverher.Istoodupandshesatbackupinbed,stillstaringatme.
“IneedtogetbacktoEarth,”shesaid.“MyfamilyandeveryoneatTheShadewillbeworriedsickaboutme.Idon’tknowhowmuchtimeispassingthereeachsecondthatI’mhere,butI’mscareditwillbetoolongandtheywillloseallhope.Ihavetwootherchildren,Kiev.”
Hereyeswerenowbrimmingwithtears.Iheavedasigh.Iknewthatshehadtogetback,butIhadnoideahowthatwouldever
happen.RightnowthebestthingIcoulddowasconcentrateonprotectingherandherunbornchildfromothers,andfrommyself.
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CH A P T E R 2 3 : M ON A
achstepItooktowardthecircularchamberpanickedmymindfurther.ItriedtofocusonRhys’lastassurancetomebeforeIlefthim.
Ipausedjustoutsidethedoor.Idon’tevenunderstandawordshesays.HowamIgoingtodothis?Ipushedthedooranditcreakedopen.Ipeekedmyheadinsideandshutthe
doorbehindme.Iinchedovertotheedgeoftheraisedfloorandlookeddownatthepool.Thewitchhadn’tsurfaced.Althoughthestenchhaddissipatedsomewhat,itwouldreturnfullforceassoonassheappearedagain.
Mykneesabouttogivewayagain,Iwalkeddowntowardthepool.Iclearedmythroat.“I’mback,”Isaid,myvoicecracking.Myvoiceechoedaroundthewalls.Iwaitedwithbatedbreath.Butthewitchdidn’tresurface.Perhapsshedidn’thearme?Iloweredmyselftomykneesandleantovertheliquid,speakinglouder.
“Uh,excuseme.Lilith?I’mback.I’vedecidedto—”Apowerfulgustblewfrombehindme.IcouldbarelyscreambeforeIfell
faceforwardintothedarkliquid.Inmyshock,Iopenedmymouthtogaspforair,onlytochokeonalungful
ofblackliquid.Ikickedandmovedmyarmsfrantically,tryingtosurface.Ihadunderestimatedhowthicktheliquidwas.EachmovementImadewastentimesharderthanitshouldhavebeen.
Igrippedthesideofthepool,haulingmyselfupandretching.Thepool’srottentasteoverwhelmedmysenses.Iclamberedtopullmyselfout,butsomethingclosedaroundmyankle.IwasyankedbackdownintotheliquidwithsuchforceIlostmygripontheedgeofthepoolandwassubmergedoncemore.
Iwaspulleddownfurtherandfurtherintothegraveofthisrottingcorpse.Ididmybesttokeepmymouthshutthistime,butmyoxygenwasrunning
outfast.Inmypanic,Icouldn’tthinkofanycharmthatcouldhelpmetobreathe.
Thegrasparoundmyankledidn’tloosenforasecond.ItonlygottighterthefurtherIwaspulled.Itfeltlikemyhipmightdislocatefromtheforce.
Mylungswerenowscreamingwithpain.Theyfeltliketheywereabouttoburst.AsIfeltIwassecondsawayfromdying,myheadbobbedabovetheblackliquid.Iopenedmymouthandgaspedforair.Wipingthefluidfrommyeyes,Iopenedthemonlytobemetwithpitchdarkness.
Ispreadoutmyhandsandfeltstonewallsallaroundme.WhenIreachedmyhandupward,itbrushedalowroughceiling.Iwastrappedinsomesortofnarrowcontainer.
Iwasterrifiedthatthehandwouldonceagainclasparoundmyankleandpullmebackintotheblacksubstance.Itriedtopushontheceiling,butitdidn’tbudge.
WhereamI?NosoonerhadIaskedmyselfthequestionthantherewasaloudcrack.I
lookeduptoseetheceilinghadpoppedopen.Exceptthatthiswasnoceiling.Itwasalid.
Ireacheduptopushthelidagainandthistimeitwasmucheasiertobudge.Carefulnottosubmergemyself,Ipushedatituntilitslidoff.Ireachedupandgrippedholdoftheledge.Ikickedandmanagedtoheavemyselfoverafterseveralattempts.Ifoundmyselfrollingontoapatchofgrass.Icoughed,remainsofthatfoulsubstancestillcoatingmymouth.
IsatupandgaspedtoseethatI’djustclimbedoutofagrave.AndnowthatIlookedaround,Iwassurroundedbymarbletombstones.
IttookafewsecondstorealizewhereIwas.TheSanctuary.Myoldhome.IrememberedplayinghideandseekinthisgraveyardwithRhysasachild.Ilookedaroundinawe.I’dlosttrackofhowmuchtimehadpassedsinceI’d
setfootinTheSanctuary.Butmyawesoonturnedtopanic.I’dbeenbanished.Icouldn’tbeseenhere.Itwasn’tevenpossibletoentertheboundariesofTheSanctuarywithoutpermission.ClearlythisAncientwasabletobypasstheirprotectivespell.
IturnedbackaroundtolookatthegraveI’djustclimbedoutof.IalmostscreamedasIcaughtsightoftheAncient’sbeadyblackeyesglaringupatme,heririsesglintinginthemoonlight.
Shebegantalkingtome,hervoicehoarseandgrating.Iheldupmyhands.“Idon’tunderstandyou,”Iwhispered.Ishookmyhead
forcefully.“IcanreadyourlanguagebutIcan’tunderstand.”Shescowledand,liftingtwobonyhandsontothegrass,pulledherselfoutof
thegrave.Itookastepbackasshestoodup,revealingherfullheightforthefirsttime.
Igaspedathowtallshewas.Almosttwicemyheight.Blackclothcoveredherbody—Iassumedithadoncebeenadress,butitwassorippedandraggedthatitnowshowedmoreofherbodythanitconcealed.
Istaredinhorrorasshestaggeredovertooneoftheothergravestones,hersickeninglythinlegsshakingasiftheycouldbarelycarryherownweight.Shebentdown,herbackfoldingsharply,andpickedupastonefromthegrass.Shewalkedovertoaslabofblackstoneandbeganscratchingagainstit.Shedroppedthestoneandstoodup.
Iwaitedforhertostepbackbeforeapproachingthestone.Itwashardtoconcentrateonthetextwithherraspingbreathingbehindme.ThemoreIread,themoreIwantedtolookaway.ThemoreIwishedthatIhadneverstartedreading.
MybodywasshakingmorethaneverasIdrewmyeyesawayfromitandcrumpledtothegrass.TheAncient’seyesnarrowedonme,asthoughshewerestudyingmyreaction.
Istaredatherindisbelief.Shebegancluckinghertongueimpatiently.Imanagedtogettomyfeetandwalkedovertotheslab.Pickingupthe
stone,Iwrotemyagreementinherlanguage.Shehissedatmeandgesturedtowardtheexitofthegraveyard.Apairoftall
gates.Ididn’tneedhertoshowmetheway.I’dbeenhereathousandtimesinmy
youth.Iwatchedasshecrawledbackintothegraveandloweredherself,disappearingfromsightasshereplacedthestonelidoverher.
Ilookedupattheoldclocktoweroutsidetheentranceofthegraveyard.Ididn’thavemuchtime.TheAncienthadgivenastrictdeadline.
ThefirstthingIdidwascleanmyselfoftheliquidusingmymagic.Then,puttinganinvisibilityspellovermyself,IweavedthroughthetombstonesuntilIreachedthegates.Ilookedaroundthestreetoutside.Itappearedtobeempty.
AsIwalked,itfeltlikeIwaswalkingtomydeath.TherewerewitchesherestillfarmorepowerfulthanIwas.Killingfellowwitcheswasn’tallowed,butIwasanoutcast.Iknewthattheywouldn’thesitatetoendmeifgiventhechance.
Iguessedthiswaspartofmytest.HowmuchwasIwillingtoputontheline?
AsIwalkedthroughthecity,awaveofdéjàvucrashedoverme.HardlyanythingaboutthispeacefulplacehadchangedsinceI’dleft.Thewhitearchitecture,domesstuddedwithgems;thebluelakesandfreshpastures;thewaterfallcrashinginthedistance;thebreezekissingmyskin…myhome.MyheartachedforwhatI’dlost.Thisrealmwasn’tcalledTheSanctuaryfornoreason.ItwaseverythingthattheabodeoftheAncients’witcheswasnot.
Iimaginedthesestreetsduringthedaytime.Afewdaysaftermyparentshaddied,I’dbeendraggeddownthisveryroad,bloodpouringfrommynoseafterthebeatingI’dreceived,tobethrownoffoftheisland.Ibreathedindeeply,tryingtocontroltheemotionscoursingthroughme.
IdeliberatelytookaturningtoavoidthestreetwhereIhadgrownup.Iwasn’tsureIcouldhandlethatwithoutbreakingdownandsobbing.
Mymother,father,allmysiblings,aunts,uncles…Iwasresponsibleforalloftheirdeaths.RhyswastheclosestthingIhadtofamilynow.
IwasthankfulatleastthattheAncientwasmakingmedothisatnight,ratherthaninthedaytimewhenthestreetswouldbeteemingwithwitches.Asitwas,Ialreadyhadtododgeafewcoupleswhowereouttakingastroll.
IwalkedthroughtheresidentialareauntilIreachedthefootofahill.AtthetopofitwastheabodeoftherulerofTheSanctuary.TheAgeless.
MybreathhitchedasIlookedupatthewhitemarblepalace.AsIclimbedupthesteps,myheartraced.Myconsciencescreamedatmetostopandturnaround.ButIwastoofargoneforthatnow.
Ireachedthetopofthehillandwalkedaroundthepalace,studdedwithrubiesthatglintedbeneaththemoonlight.
IscannedthesecondflooruntilIspottedabalcony.Itransportedmyselfupthere,andwasrelievedtoseeabalconydoorhadbeenleftopen,toletinthewarmbreezenodoubt.
ItriedtoquietenmybreathingasIsteppedintoacircularbedroom.Inthecenterwasagold-framedbed,whereabeautifulwomanwithlongsilverhairlayasleepinthearmsofaman,bothbareexceptforthesilksheetcoveringthem.IwalkedovertotheendoftheirbedandcastacharmonthemthatwouldimpairtheirhearingwhileIwassearchingforwhattheAncienthadsentmefor.
Icastmyeyesaroundthechamber.Onspottingarowofcabinetsinthecorner,IbeganrummagingthroughthemasfastasIcould.Imovedfromroomtoroomandbytheeighthone,IwasbeginningtolosehopeI’deverfinditintime.
ButthenIsawit,asIwasrummagingthroughasmallcupboardatthebottomofthestaircase.Wrappedupindarkbloodorangeleatherwasaheapofmaps,printedonoldyellowingparchment.Icurleduptheleatherbindingandtuckeditsecurelybeneathmycloak.
Nowforparttwo.Iclimbedbackupthestaircase,approachingtheAgeless’bedroom
cautiously.Sheandherloverwerestillasleep.Ifeltthehiltofthesilverdaggerinmybelt.IwithdrewitasIapproachedthebed.
GrippingtheAgeless’hair,Islicedthroughherneck.Shewasn’tevenabletoscreambeforeherwindpipewassevered.Blood
stainedthewhitesheets.Themanwokeup,butbeforehecouldmove,I’dcuthisthroattoo.
AndthenIran.Irushedtothebalconyandjumpedoff.Ispeddownthehillandranasfast
asmylegscouldcarryme,backtothegraveyard.Weavingbetweenthetombstones,IarrivedbackatthestonewhereIwas
duetomeettheAncient.Ilookedupattheclocktower.Iwasearly.Icroucheddownandtriedtostartmovingthelid.ItbudgedslightlyandeventuallyImanagedtopullitoff.IdecidedthatitwasbettertowaitinhidingbeneaththetombstonethanoutintheopenafterwhatI’djustdone.
Iloweredmyselfbackintotheliquid.Andsoonenough,aclammyhandreachedoutandgrippedmyankle,pullingmebackdownintothedarknesswhereIbelonged.
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CH A P T E R 2 4 : K I E V
leftAnnalockedinthebathroomwhenIclimbeduptoHelina’sfloor.Istoppedoutsideherdoorandplacedmyearagainstit.Ididn’tdetectanysoundscomingfrominsidesoIturnedthedoorknob—unlockedasusual.Nobodyinthiscastleseemedtobeconcernedaboutlockingdoorsexceptme.
Icreptalongthehallwayandheadedstraightformysister’sbedroom.Iglancedoveratherdressingtable,scanningitforsomekindofperfume.Therewereseveralbottles.Igrabbedthenearestone.
ThenIracedbacktotheentrance.MystomachroseintomythroatasIopenedthefrontdoortoseeHelinastandingoutside,abouttopushthedooropen.
Hereyeswidened.“Kiev.Whatareyoudoing?”“Iwaslookingforyou,”Ibluffed,slippingthebottlebeneathmycloak.“Whatfor?”“Iwantedtocheckifritualsareresumingasusualtonight.”“Yes,whywouldn’tthey?”“Allright.Thatwasall.”Iturnedandspedoffintheoppositedirection.“Wait,Ineedtotalktoyoutoo,”shecalledafterme,butIignoredher.Myhearthammeringinmychest,Iracedbacktowardmyroomandlocked
myselfinside.Iknockedonthebathroomdoor.“Anna,”Iwhisperedthroughthedoor.“I’mback.”Noanswer.“Anna?”Iknocked.Iheardaretchingsoundandthenaweakvoice.“Yeah…I’mhere.”“Openthedoor.”ThedooropenedslowlyandAnnaappeared,herfacepaleasshewiped
vomitawayfromhermouthwithatissue.“What’swrong?”“Idon’tknow.I’mwonderingifit’ssomethingtodowiththemealyougave
me.Eitheryoupoisonedit,ormystomachhasforgottenhowtodigestproperfood.”
Istaredather.IdoubtedthattherewasanythingwrongwiththefoodI’dgivenher.Ithadsmelledfreshenough.
Shefinishedwipingherselfdownandgotbackintobed,shiveringasshepulledthecoversbackoverher.
Ihandedherthebottleofperfume.“Youneedtocoveryourselfwiththis.Usethewholebottleifyouhaveto.”“Pukeandperfume,”shemuttered,eyeingthesmallbottle.“Great.”Shesighedandgotoutofbedagain,walkingtowardthebathroomwiththe
bottleandclosingthedoor.Iwaitedoutsidethedooruntilshe’dfinished.Shesteppedoutafterseveralminutes,holdinguptheemptybottle.“Ugh,I
reek.”Thescentofherbloodwasstillverynoticeabletome,buttheperfume
maskeditalotbetterthanIhadthoughtitwould.Itwasstrongstuff.Shebeganwalkingbackovertothebed,butherkneesgavewaybeforeshe
reachedit.Icaughtherjustbeforeshemadecontactwiththefloor.“Ifeeld-dizzy,”shegasped,hereyesshuttight.Icarriedherovertothebedandlaidherdownonit,pullingthecoversover
her.WorrygrippedmeasIlookedatherfragilestate.“I’mgoingtoneedtofind
somemorefoodforyou.Youcantrytoeatitagaininafewhours.Youhavetogetsomethinginyou.”
Shelookedupatmeweaklyandnodded.“I’lltry.”Ifeltherforehead.Itfeltwarmerthanbefore.Toowarm.Iplacedtwofingers
againstherneck.Herpulsefeltweak.Somethingwasn’tright.Therewasaknockatthedoor.Annalookedupatme,panicfillinghereyes.Iscoopedherupandrushed
herbackintothebathroom.“Lockthedoor,”Ihissed.Whenthebathroomdoorboltedshut,Iansweredthefrontdoor.Ibreathed
outinrelieftoseethatitwasjustmybrother.“Erik?Whatdoyouwant?”Hewasabouttoopenhismouth,buthepausedashesniffedtheair.Mystomachchurned.“Thatsmell…women’sperfume?”“Oh,Helina.Shevisitedme.”Icringedinternally,prayingthathewouldn’t
confirmthiswithoursister.“Helina,huh?”Hiseyesdarkened,hisfaceshrouded.Hischestbegantoheaveandthen,to
myshock,hegrippedmyshirtandshookme.“You’vebeensleepingwithJulisse!”hehissed.Julisse?Igrippedmybrother’shandsandyankedthemaway,hisclawstearing
throughmyshirtintheprocess.“Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”“That’sJulisse’sperfume.”“No!ThisisHelina’sperfume.”“Don’tlietome,Kiev.”HelaunchedatmewithspeedI’dforgottenmybrotherpossessed.I
staggeredbackandattemptedtoslamthedooragainsthisface,butitwastoolate.He’denteredtheapartmentandwasbeginningtoripmybedroomapart.Upendingtablesandtearingthroughcurtains.
Iwasstunned.Icouldn’tremembereverwitnessingmybrotherlosehistemperlikethis.
Ileaptonhimandwrestledhimtotheground.Iheldhiminachokeuntilhisbreathingbecamealittlesteadier.
“Youdareaccusemeofsleepingwithmyownbrother’swoman?”Hescoffed.“Yousleepwithenoughwomentolosetrackofwhobelongsto
whom.”“I’venevertouchedJulisse,”Igrowled,tighteningmygriparoundhim.“Thenexplainwhyyourroomreeksofherperfume,”hechoked.Ibreathedoutinfrustration.Helinamusthavebeenborrowingthebottle
fromJulisse.“ItooktheperfumefromHelina’sroom.”“Oh,tosatisfyyourlifelongurgetotryoutwomen’sperfume?”Iknockedhisheadagainstthewoodenfloor.Iheldmybreath.Iknewnowthathewouldn’tbelieveanyotherexplanation
butthetruth.Butthememoryofthewayhe’dstormedMatteo’sislandwasstilltoofresh.Ididn’ttrusthim,justashedidn’ttrustme.
“I’mtellingyou,I’mnotsleepingwithyourwoman,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Idon’tneedtoexplainmyeverymovementtoyou,andifyoudon’tbelieveme,youcangoto—”
Aretchingcamefromthebathroom.Iswore.Thatsecondofdistractionbecamemydownfall.Erikkneedmeinthe
stomach,looseningmyholdaroundhim.Hescrambledtowardthebathroomandforcedthedooropenwithonepowerfulkick.
Hismouthfellopenashestaredatthefloor.“No,”Ihissed,rushingtoblockhisviewofAnna.Butitwastoolate.Shewascrouchedoverthetoilet,vomitingagain.Herwholebodytrembled.Eriktookastepback,dumbstruck.“I-I’msorry,”hestammered.“You’llbemorethansorryonceI’mthroughwithyou,”Igrowled.
Isawredandlungedathim,flooringhimonceagain.Idealthimoneblowaftertheotheruntilhisfacewasabloodymess.
“Stop!”IglanceduptoseeHelinaenteringtheroom,herhandsclaspedoverher
mouth.ShehurriedoverandhauledmeawayfromErik.Erikstaggeredtohisfeetandcrumpledtothefloorinacorneroftheroom,
breathingheavily.“Whatthehellisgoingoninhere?”Helinademanded.Shepaused,sniffing
theair.“AndwhydoesthisroomsmellofJulisse’sperfume?”Shenarrowedhereyesonmeandgrippedmycollar.“HaveyoubeentheonesleepingwithErik’sgirl?”
“Stop,Helina,”Erikmuttered.Ibreathedoutinfrustration,brushingheraway.Therewasnopointtryingto
hideitanymore.Erikknewandofcoursehewouldtellhissister.IwalkedovertothebathroomandpointedtoAnnacroucheddownonthe
floor.Helinagasped.“Thishuman…youstoleherfromthebackofthatdungeon.”
Tearsoffearandpanicwelledinhereyes.“No.No,Kiev.Idon’tlikethis.Idon’tlikethisatall.Please.Weneedtoreturnher.Ifwedoitnow,Isoldemightstill—”
“No,”Igrowled,pushingherback.“Therearesomanyothergirlsonthisisland,whydoyouhaveto—”“Shutyourmouthandlistenforonce,”Isnarled.Itoweredoverher,glaring
fromhertomybrother.“What’sgoingtohappennowisverysimple.Youtwoaregoingtoleavethisroomandpretendyouneversawher.”
“ButKiev—”“Ifeitherofyousomuchasbreatheawordaboutthishumanorharmherin
anyway,Iswear—it’sover.I’llfindawaytoleavethisislandandyou’llneverseemeagain.”
Thatshutmysisterup.Shechewedonherlowerlip.“I’vebeenlenientenoughtostilltalktoyouafterwhatyoudidtoMatteo.
Butthisisyourlastchance.Youneedtostoptryingtojudgewhat’sbestforme
andjustdowhatItellyoutodo.Now,you’reeitherwithmeoragainstme.”Therewasasilence,interruptedonlybymoreretchingfromAnna.Itirritated
methatIwaswastingallthistimetryingtokeepmysiblingsincheckwhenAnnawasinneedofme.
“Youdorealizewhatwillhappenifwegetcaught?”Eriksaid.Hisfacehadalmosthealedbynow.
Igrunted.Ididn’tknowwhatpunishmentwewouldface.Butitwouldn’tmakeadifference.
Helinasankdownonthebed.Hereyesglazedoverasshestaredatthewall.“Soareyouwithme,oragainstme?”Iglareddownatbothofmysiblings.“Ofcoursewe’renotagainstyou,”Eriksaid.Helinanodded,gulping.“We’renotagainstyou,”sherepeated.“Butareyouwithme?”Theybothnodded.Truthbetold,apartofmehadexpectedthemtorefuse.“AndI’msorry,Kiev,”Eriksaid,stillsittingonthefloor,nowholdinghis
headinhishands.“Julissehasbeenasorespotformerecently.”IstaredatErik.“Whatdoyoumean?”Heheavedasigh,rubbingapalmagainsthisforehead.“She’sstarted
cheatingonme.Iknowit.ButIcan’tproveit.And,ofcourse,shewon’tadmittoit.”
Iwasatalossforwhattosay.I’dneverhadhadmuchconvictionabouttheirrelationship—Julissehadawayaboutherthatmademedistrusther.ButIwassurprisedthatshewouldcheatonmybrother.Hewascertainlyoneofthebest-lookingmenontheislandandalsoappearedtobeseveralyearsyoungerthanher.
ButwithAnnahalfdyingonmybathroomfloor,nowwasnotthetimeformetobearelationshipcounsellortomybrother.
“Well,I’msorrytohearthat,”Isaidcurtly.Erikgotupandwalkedtowardme.Heheldouthishandandshookmine,
pattingmeontheshoulder.“I’msorryforaccusingyou.IguessIdidn’tbelieveyouwoulddosomething
likethattome.Iwasjustventing.”Inodded.Helinastoodupandgrippedmyarm.“I’msorrytoo,”shesaidsoftly.“Andnow,Ipromise,we’reonyourside.I
don’tknowwhyyouwantthispregnantwomansomuch,orwhatyouplantodowithher—tobehonest,I’drathernotknow.Butwhateverinsaneplanyouhavegoingthroughyourmind,we’llnotsayaword.”
ShewouldhavebeenevenmorehorrifiedtolearnthatIhadnotevenaninsaneplan.Ihadnoplanatall.
Theyheadedforthefrontdoorandsteppedoutintothecorridoroutside.“Wait,”Ihissed,justbeforetheyleft.“Helina.Bringmedowntherestof
yourperfume,willyou?”
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CH A P T E R 2 5 : M ON A
’dthoughtthatIwouldfeelmoreshakenaftermurderingtherulerofTheSanctuaryandherloverintheirsleep.ButIjustfeltnumb.PerhapsitwasRhys’influenceonmefinallyworking.I’ddonewhatIhadtodo.NowthatI’ddoneit,itfeltalmostnodifferentthananyothermundanetaskhemightaskmetodo.
WhenIresurfaced,IwasbackinLilith’scave.Gasping,Iclimbedoutofthepoolandpulledouttherollsofparchmentbeneathmycloak.Theyweresoaked.Beforetheycoulddisintegrate,Idriedthemwithmymagic,thankfultoseethattheywerestillreadable.IturnedbacktofacetheAncient,whowasnowfloatinginthepool.Iheldouttheleatherbindertoher.
Shecrawledoutofthepoolandtoweredoverme,snatchingitfromme.Sheflippedthroughthepageswithherbonyfingers.Seeminglysatisfied,shehandeditbacktome.Iwasconfused.Ididn’tknowwhatIwassupposedtodowiththem.Hell,Ididn’tevenknowwhattheywere.
Ilookedaroundthecavernouschamber.Rhyshadn’tarrivedyet.“Rhys?”Isaid,lookingupather.Shepointedtowardthedoor.IassumedthatmeantIwastogoandfetchhim.
Tuckingthebinderbeneathmyarm,Ihurriedoutofthechamberandalongthetunnels.
IranouttowardtheentranceofthecaveandsawRhyssittingonaboulder,
staringoutattheocean.“Rhys!”Ishouted.Hejumpedtohisfeet,alookofreliefonhisface,andclimbeduptoward
me.Heheldmyhandandpulledmeclosetohim.“Shewantstoseeyounow,”Isaid.Hegrippedmyhandandwewalkedbacktothechamber.TheAncientwasstillstandingbesidethepool,herthinarmscrossedover
herchest.Shespokeup.Rhyslookedatme.“Shesaysyouhaveabundleofmaps.”
Iwithdrewthemfrommycloakandhandedthemtohim.Heflippedthroughthepages.“Whatarethey?”Iasked.“Notnow,”hesaid,turningbacktotheAncient.Hecontinuedtalkingtoher.WhentherewasagapintheirconversationIaskedanxiously,“Sowhat
now?DidIpasshertest?”Helookeddownatmeandnodded.Ididn’tknowwhethertoberelievedorterrified.AtleastnowIwouldhave
Rhysbymysidefortherestoftheway.ItjustunnervedmethatIstillhadnoideawhatthisinvolved.
Hepulledmedownclosertothewitch.LilithwassofreakishlytallsheeventoweredoverRhys.Isatdownonthefloorbesidethepoolastheyfinishedtheirconversation.
Finallythewitchturnedtomeand,lookingmedirectlyintheeye,rasped,“Mo-na.”
Thesoundofmynamecomingoutofherdecayinglipssentchillsrunningdownmyspine.Istoodupagainandwalkedclosertoher,grippingRhys’armasIdid.
Thenshesaidsomethingelsetome.IlookedatRhys,myeyebrowsraised.Evenhelookedreluctanttotranslate
forme,hardlymakingmefeelbetteraboutthesituation.“Sheisasking,‘AreyoureadytobecomeaChanneler?’”
Inodded,evenasmystomachchurned.Shehissedatmeagain.“Shewantsyoutosayyes,”Rhyssaid.Ilookedher.“Yes,”Isaidclearly.Shechewedonherlowerlipandthengrippedmyhand.Sheforcedmedown
ontothefloorandhissedatmeagain.“Sitcross-legged,”Rhyssaid.IdidasIwastold.Rhysbentdownnexttomeandsatoppositemeonthefloor.Heplaceda
handonmyknee.Itwasn’toftenthatRhysbetrayedfear,butlookingatmebeneaththeAncient’sgrip,nowhedid.
TheAncient’shandsclosedaroundmyskull,hersharpfingersdiggingintomyscalp.
Anexcruciatingpaineruptedfromwhereshewastouchingmeandrandownmynecktothebaseofmyspine.Icriedout.Rhys’griponmykneetightened.
Shespokeagain,andthenletoutaharshcackle.IlookedatRhysthroughsquintedeyes,tearsofpaindrippingdownmy
cheeks.“Shesaysnowisthetimethatyouneedtotrustmemorethanever.’”
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CH A P T E R 2 6 : K I E V
owthatI’ddealtwithmysiblings,itfeltlikeaheavyweighthadbeenliftedoffmychest.Iwasn’tcompletelyaloneinthismadness.Althoughtheywerehardlyenthusiastic,Itrustedthattheywouldn’tbetrayme.
Assoonastheyleft,Ihurriedbackintothebathroom.Anna’sheadrestedagainstthewall,hereyesclosed,mouthhangingopen.
IfearedforamomentthatI’dalreadylosther.Igrippedherjawandmadeherfaceme.
Shewasbreathinglightly.Shehadpassedout.“Hangon,Anna,”Iwhispered.Ipickedherupinmyarmsandhurriedbackintothebedroomtoplaceher
downonthemattress.Igrabbedatowelfromthebathroomandwetitwithcoldwaterbefore
proceedingtowipeherfacewithit.Iresteditonherforehead,andsatbyherbed,holdingherhand.Willinghertocometoconsciousness.
Ikeptchangingthetowelwhenitbecamewarm.Helinacameinbrieflytohandmeherperfume,butdidn’tstay.
AfteraboutanhourAnnacameto.Ibreathedoutinrelief.Hereyelidsflickeredopenandshestartedcoughing.“Howareyoufeeling?”
Shelaidherheadbackdownonthepillowandlookedupatmeweakly.Iwasn’tsureifshecouldunderstandme.Althoughhereyeswereopen,theylookedunfocussed.
“I’mgoingtogodownandfindsomemorefood,”Isaid.Shemutteredincoherently.Ipulledtheblankethigheroverher,thenlefttheroom,suretodouble-lockit
behindme.Ofcourse,thelockwouldbeuselessifavampirereallywantedtocomein.
ButIhopednobodyhadanyreasonto.Itwasjustthereasamilddeterrent.Ifsomebodyknocked,theycouldn’tcomeinwithoutbreakingthedoorofaNovalicdown.Andfewpeopleonthisislandwoulddaredothat.
Ihurriedbackdowntothekitchenforthesecondtimewithinthespaceofafewhours.Relievedtoseethatitwasstillempty,IracedaroundtryingtofigureoutwhatthehellIshouldbringupforherthistimethatherstomachcouldhandle.
Soupwasoneofthemosteasythingstodigest.ButperhapsthesoupI’dgivenherhadbeentoorich.Orperhapsithadcontainedtoomanyspicesforherfragilestomach.Whateverthecase,Ihadtotryagain.
Babyfoodiswhatsheneeds.UnsureofwhatIwasevendoing—forIhadalwaysbeenauselesscookeven
asahuman—Ifoundasackofvegetablesandhurledthemontothecounter.Idippedmyhandsintothesackandpulledoutahandfulofwhatresembledpotatoesandcarrots.Theseshoulddo.Iwashedthem,thenIboiledalargepotofwateranddroppedthemin.
Iwaitedimpatientlybytheboilingpot,stickingaknifeintothevegetableseveryfewminutes.
Thesethingstakesodamnlongtogetsoft.Finally,IdecidedthattheyweresoftenoughtonotcauseAnnamore
stomachupset.Idroppedthemintoabowlandbegantomashthemuptogetherwithaspoon.Oncethey’dformedathickpaste,Ifoundsomemilkinthecoldcellarandwarmedafewcupfuls.Ipouredthewarmmilkintothebowlofvegetablepaste.Igrabbedsomesaltfromthecounterandaddedafewpinches.
ThenIblendeditalltogetherfuriouslyuntilitformedasmoothconsistency.Ipouredtheliquidintoalargebowlandplaceditonanothertray.Ialso
addedtoitanotherjugofwater.Nobreadthistime.Let’sjusttrythis.Icleanedupaftermyself,thenrushedoutofthekitchenandbeganwalking
upthestaircase.IthoughtthatImighthaveonceagaingottenluckybynotbumpinginto
anyoneonthewayup,butjustasIwasabouttoturnthelastcorridortomyroom,Efrenappearedroundthecorner.
Hestoppedshort,alookofsurpriseonhisfaceashesawme.Thenhiseyesnarrowedonme.Helookedatthetowel-coveredtrayIwasholding.Iwasrelievedwhenheletmepassinsilence.
BythetimeIreenteredmybedroom,Annawastakingdeepbreaths.Iwalkedovertoherandplacedthetraybesideheronthebed.
Ifeltherforehead.Itwasstillhot.ButatleastsheseemedtobeslightlymoreconsciousthanwhenI’dlefther.
Seeingthatshewasclearlystillinnostatetofeedherself,Iliftedheruptositagainstthecushions.Takingthebowlandspoon,Ibegantofeedher.Shecoughedatfirst,buttomyreliefshestartedlappingupthefoodIwasfeedingher.
Iwatchedhercloselyassheswallowedeachspoonful.Iwasn’tsureifitwasjustmyimagination,butbythetimeshe’dfinishedthebowl,Icouldhaveswornthathereyesappearedlessdistant.Sheappearedcalmer,moreaware.
“Areyoufeelingbetter?”Idaredask.Therewasapause.Thenshelookedupatmyfaceandbreathed,“You’remyangel.”She’sstilldelirious.
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CH A P T E R 2 7 : M ON A
staredatmyselfinthemirror.Apartfrommyeyeshavingturnedafewshadesdarker,andmyskinlooking
abitmoresallow,therewasn’tmuchdifference.Butinternally,itfeltlikesomethinghadshifted.
AlthoughIwasawareofwhyIhadsetoutonthispath—tobreakfreefrommylifewithRhys—Icouldn’tconnectwiththatmotivationanymorenowthattheAncienthadbestowedonmesuchagiftandresponsibility.Icouldn’tevenconceiveofbetrayingherandRhys.AndIhadnodesiretoleaveRhysanymore.Rather,itfeltpainfulwhenIwasn’tinhispresence.Iwantedhim.IwonderedifhisbeingthereformewhileLilithinductedmehadstrengthenedourbond.
IthadbeenafewdayssincewelefttheAncient’scave,andIwasstillgettingusedtomynewfoundpowers.Rhyswashelpingtameme.Hesaidwecouldn’treturntoTheShadeuntilI’dgotahandleonthem.I’dalreadyalmostburntourbedtoashesandmadeahugecrackinthewall.
OnlyoncehewasconfidentenoughthatIwouldn’twrecktheplacedidwereturntoTheShade.
Ilookedaroundaswewalkedthroughthecourtyardupthestepsintothecastle.Therewasnobodyaround.Itseemedtobelate.I’dlosttrackofhowlong
we’dbeenawaybynow,althoughitfeltlikeaneternity.Wereachedourroom.Mybonesandmuscleswereachingfromexercising
mypowerswithRhysearlierthatmorning.Iwantednothingmorethantoliedownandfallasleep.
AsImovedtowardthebed,Rhyssaid,“Wait.Weneedtoattendtheritualfirst.Itstartsinanhour.We’rejustintimeforit.Ifyouwantyoucanrestuntilthen,butI’llhavetowakeyou—”
Therewasaknockonthedoor.Rhyswenttoanswerit.Hisauntstoodinthedoorway.Herdarkhairwastiedupinatightbun.Shesteppedinsideandclosedthedoorbehindher.
“Isensedyourreturn,”shesaid,eyeingmeasIsatdownontheedgeofthebed.“Howdiditgo?”
“Mona’soneofusnow,”Rhyssaid,placingahandonmyshoulderandsqueezingit.
AlthoughIsoldelookedshockedthatI’dreturnedinonepiece,shedidn’tvoicehersurprise.
“Hm.Good.”Hermouthformedahardlineasshelookedmeover.“Howhavethingsbeensinceweleft?”Rhysasked.“We’vekeptuptherituals,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Butthere’ssomething
thatImusttalktoyouabout.”“Oh?”“IjustheardfromAnnora.Theimmuneismissing.”“Theimmune?”Isoldenodded,hereyesdarkening.“Whileyouweregone,andsinceEfren
wasinnomoodtohelpme,IdecidedtotaketheNovalicstocollectsomemorehumansfromAnnora.Well,adayafterourvisitshediscoveredtheimmunemissing.”
Rhys’lipspartedindisbelief.“Ofcourse,”shecontinued,“wedon’tknowforsurethattheNovalicsare
behindit.ItcouldhavebeenoneofAnnora’svampires.Buteveniftheydid,Ithinkit’sbestnottoaskthemoutright.I’dratherwefindtheproofonourownbeforeconfrontingthem.Iftheyhavedonethisthenwehaveaveryserious
situationindeed.”RhysrubbedahandagainsthisforeheadandstaredbackatIsolde.“Youreallythinkthey’dbetrayuslikethis?Afterallthey’veseenofus?”Isoldeshrugged.“I’mjustsayingthatthisisanunfortunatecoincidence.”“Hm,”hegrunted.“Well,weoughttogettothebottomofthisassoonas
possible.”“Yes,”Isoldesaid.“Becausewecan’taffordforsomethingtohappentothat
immune.Itwouldbeahugesetback.Wehavetohopewhereversheis,she’sstillalive.”
“Haveyoutoldanyoneelseaboutthis?”Sheshookherhead.“NotevenEfren.I’dratherkeepthisbetweenthethreeofusfornow.Incase
theyareinnocent,Idon’twanttoplaceunnecessarydoubtinpeople’sminds.Annoraisconductinganinvestigationofherown.Thereisonevampireshealreadysuspectscouldbebehindthis,butshe’llgetbacktomeaboutthis.”
“Allright,”Rhyssaid,hisvoicelow.“Iagree.It’sbesttokeepthisbetweenthethreeofusuntilweknowforsure.”
“Well,I’llseeyouattheritual,”Isoldesaid.“TheNovalicswillallbethereasusual,ofcourse.”Sheturnedonherheelsandlefttheroom.
WhereaspreviouslyI’dbeenfeelingtired,now,atthementionoftheimmunebeingmissing,IwasasfarawayfromsleepasIcouldbe.Iknewtheimportanceoftheimmune.
“Weneedtostartinvestigatingthisrightaway,”Isaid,walkingovertoRhys.“There’snotimetolose.Wecan’taffordforanythingtohappentothatimmune.”
Helookedatmeandasmallsmileformedonhislips.Heplacedhishandsonmywaistanddrewmeintowardhim,kissingmetenderlyoneithercheek.
“Youreallyhavechanged,”hesaid,hisvoicehusky.“You’refinallyalignedwithus.Withme.”
Istaredathim.“OfcourseI’vechanged.YouthinkIcouldhavesurvivedwhatthewitchput
mymindthroughwithoutchanging?”
Hecontinuedstaringintomyeyes,asthoughhecouldn’thaveadoredmemorethanatthatmoment.
“No,ofcoursenot.”
Istaredaroundatallthefamiliarfacesinthecaveaseveryonefiledaroundtheceremonialstoneatthecenter.
IscannedthebenchesfortheNovalics.Theyhadarrivedlaterthanusualandalsosatindifferentseats,furthertotheleftthanIwasusedto.Normallytheysatoppositeus.
ErikandHelinaNovalicsattogether.Then,nexttothegirl,myeyesfelluponanotherdark-haired,green-eyedvampireIhadneverseenbefore.Hewasclearlyrelatedtothem.Theirbrother,Iassumed.HemusthavebeenanewrecruitwhileIwasgone.Ilookedawayfromhimassoonashelookedup.
“ThatmannexttoHelina,he’salsoaNovalic?”Iaskedinavoicebarelylouderthanabreath.
Rhysfrownedatme.“Yes,Mona.HisnameisKiev.Don’tyourememberIalreadyintroduced
himtoyouawhileago?”“Oh.”NomatterhowmuchIrackedmymemoryIcouldn’tremember
meetinghim.Somuchhadhappenedrecently,Imusthaveforgotten.Clearly,hecouldn’thavemademuchofanimpressiononme.
Sothat’sthreeNovalicsweneedtowatch.IlookedbackatKievNovalic,whoseeyeswerenowfixedontheslabinthe
centerofthecave.Eventhoughthevampirewasn’tlookingatme,therewassomethingabouthispresencethatmademeuncomfortable.Itwashardtoputafingeron.Ijustfelt…disturbed.Restless.
Iwasrelievedbythetimetheritualwasover.“Isuggestwestaybackandwaituntilthevampireshavereturnedtotheir
rooms,”Rhyssaid.Iwatchedasthecrowdmadetheirwayout.Kievwasthefirsttorushout.
Hmm.Interesting.Isoldealsostayedbehindwithus.Wewerenowtheonlythreepeopleleft
backinthecave.“Isuggestwepickavampireeach,”shesaid.“We’llwaituntilthey’vefallen
asleepandthensearcheachoftheirroomstonight.”“I’llcheckKiev’s,”Isaid.ThoughIwasn’tquitesurewhy.Perhapsitwas
becausehisbodylanguagehadalreadypiquedmyinterest,andhewasfreshinmymindashe’dhurriedoutfirst.
“Allright,”Isoldesaid.“I’llcheckonHelina.Rhys,you’reresponsibleforErik.We’llallmeetbackinmyroomafterwe’redone.”
“DoyouknowwhereKiev’sroomis,Mona?”Rhysasked.Ishookmyhead.“It’sonthefloorbelowHelinaandErik’squarters,”hesaid.“It’sthefirst
dooronyourrightasyouclimbupthestairs.”“Allright.”Weglancedateachotheroncemoreandtheneachofusvanished.IappearedbythestaircaseandeyedthedoorthatwassupposedtobeKiev’s.
Iplacedmyearagainstit.Iheardthesoundofwaterrunninginthebathroom.Iassumedhewasgettingreadyforbed.
Iwaitedanotherhourorso,walkingupanddownalongthatcorridorandcheckinghisdooragainatintervals.Finally,allhadbecomesilentandIhearddeepbreathing.
Iappearedinside.Allthelightswereturnedoff.ImademyselfinvisibleasIcreptalongthehallwaytowardthevampire’sbedroom.Thedoorhadbeenleftpartiallyopen,justenoughformetoslipthroughwithouthavingtotouchit.Onceinside,Ilookedaroundthebedroom.
ThefirstthingInoticedwasthesmellofwomen’sperfume.Strange.Kievlayinthecenterofthefour-posterbed,asheethalfcoveringhisbare
chest.HewasperhapsthemosthandsomevampireI’deverlaideyeson.Again,IexperiencedthesamediscomfortI’dfeltbackinthecave.Mythroat
feltdryandmyheartbeatquickened.
Itoremyeyesawayfromhimand,forcingmymindbacktothematterathand,Icontinuedsearchingtheroom.Iduckedmyheadunderthebed.Icheckedthebathroom.Iwalkedovertothebalconydoorsandpeeredbehindthroughcurtains.Nothing.
ThenIturnedandstaredatthecupboardafewmetersawayfromthebed.Thatwaslargeenoughtostoreabodyforsure.Ieasedthedoorsopenandlookedinside.Nothingbutthevampire’sclothes.
IscannedtheapartmentonceagainbutitwasclearIwasn’tgoingtofindanything.Slowly,Iwalkedbacktowardthefrontdoorandvanishedmyself.OnceIwasontheotherside,awayfromthevampire’spresence,Icouldbreathemorefreely.IdecidedtowalktherestofthewaytoIsolde’sroomratherthantransportmyselftherewithmagic,toclearmymindandgathermythoughtstogether.
BothIsoldeandRhyswerealreadytherewaitingformewhenIarrived.“Whattookyousolong?”Rhysasked.“Thevampiretookawhiletofallasleep.”Isighed.“AndIdidn’tfeel
comfortablegoinginthereuntilhehad.Iwantedtobeabletomovearoundwithouthimintheway.”
“So,anyluck?”Isoldeasked,lookingatmeimpatiently.“Ifoundnothing.You?”Theybothshooktheirheads.“ThenmaybeitisoneofAnnora’speopleafterall,”Rhysmuttered.“We’llhavetoseewhatshesaysonceshe’sconductedtheinvestigation.But
Ididn’tthinktheNovalicswouldbetrayus,”Isoldesaid.“Westilldon’tknowtheirolderbrotherthatwell,butIdoubthe’dputhisandhissiblings’lifeatriskbydoingsomethingsofoolish.Ofcourse,it’spossibletheNovalicshavealreadydestroyedtheimmuneandhiddenthebody…”
Weallfellsilent.“Well,there’snotmuchelsewecandowhilewewaitforAnnora’sreport.”
Rhysstoodupandheldmyhand,leadingmetowardthefrontdoor.“We’llseeyoutomorrow,Aunt.”
Weleftthedoorandmadeourwaybacktoourownapartment.
Iremovedmycloak,thenwalkedovertothebedandsatdown,removingmyshoes.Rhysstoodleaningagainstthedoorwayofthebathroom.Hiscloakandshoesstillon,hestaredatmewithheatinhiseyes.
Iraisedabrowathim.Heclosedthedistancebetweenusandpushedmedownagainstthebed.He
caughtmylipsandunbuttonedmydress.Slippinghishandsbehindme,heranthemalongmybareback.
Iheldhisheadandstaredintohiseyes.“What?”Hepulledmeupintostandingposition,lettingmydressfalldownmy
shoulders.“Youhavenoideahowenticingyouaretomenow.”Hegroanedasheran
hislipsalongmythroat.“Iwanttocompleteus.We’vedelayedthislongenough…”
Reachingintohispocket,hegotdownononeknee.“Marryme,Mona.”Itookastepback,agaspescapingmylipsasIstareddownatasapphire
ring.Hewantedme.Iwantedhim.Whywouldn'tIsayyes?Somehow,Ihesitated.AlthoughIknewRhyswastheoneandonlymanI
wouldendupwith,theideaofmarryinghimalarmedme.Iguesseditwasjustthewayhehadsprungitonmesosuddenly.IfeltlikeI
neededmoretimefortheconcepttosinkinbeforeacceptinghisproposal.Perhapssensingmysurprise,hereachedoutandheldmyhand.“Youdon’thavetogivemeananswernow,mylove.I’llwaituntilyou’re
ready.I’llwaitathousandyearsifthat’swhatittakes.”Isatbackdownonthebed.“IthinkIjustneedsomerest,”Imurmured.“It’sbeenalongday.”Henoddedandplacedthebeautifulringonmydressingtable.WeundressedandIsnuggledupnexttoRhysbeneaththecovers.Iplaced
myheadagainsthischest,listeningtohisheartbeat,whilehestrokedmyhair.
Wedidn’tspeaktherestofthatnightaswedriftedofftosleep.Hegavemespacetogetlostinmyownthoughts.ButIwassurehealreadyknewmyanswer.
Althoughithadcomeasashock,therewasnobodyelseotherthanRhyswhomIbelongedto.Heownedmyheartandmind.Mybodyandsoul.
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’dbeenanticipatingthatanytimenow,AnnoraoroneofhercomradeswouldnoticeAnnamissingfromthecellsandalertIsolde.
TheNovalicswouldbetheprimesuspects.SoasamatterofurgencyIhadtofindsomewheresafertohideAnna.My
roomwastheperfectplace,becausepeoplewereunlikelytoventureintoitfornoreason.Butitwasalsotheprimetarget.Istalkedupanddowntheroomtryingtorackmybrainsforsomekindofsolution.
Theapartmentwasn’thugeandthereweren’tmanyhidingplaces.Thecupboardspanningtheentirelengthofonewallwouldhavebeenperfect—itwasmorethanbigenoughtoholdher.ItcouldhaveevenfitmeifIcurledupmyfeet.Butitwasfartooobviousahidingplace…ButasIwasstaringatthewardrobe,asolutioncametome.
IhurriedupstairsandbroughtErikdown.Healwayshadbeengoodwithwoodwork.
“Iwanttosectionoffthebackpartofthiscupboard.Removethebackboard,andcutthiscupboard’sdepthinhalf,say.Thatway,Annacanliebehindit.Ifyoudoitright,nowitchwillsuspectanythingisbehinditonacursoryglance.”
Heleantinsideandknockedagainstthewood.“Hm.”Helookedatthewood.“Well,letmetrytoremovethis…”
Hisvoicetrailedoffashebegantorunhisclawsaroundtheedgeoftheboard.
“It’snotfastenedverytightly,”hemuttered.“Ifyougodowntothekitchenandbringmeupsomekindoflongthinknife,andalsosomekindofutensilwithabluntend,I’llhaveagoatthis.”
IglancedoveratAnnawhowassleeping.“Iwon’tharmher,”Eriksaid.Irusheddowntothekitchenandbroughtupaslargeofanarrayofutensils
asIcouldfindinmyhurriedsearch.Erikbeganundoingthescrewsandthenranaknifearoundtheedgeofthe
woodenboard.Slowly,inchbyinch,heremovedtheentireboarduntilitwaslooseenoughtobepushedforward.
Hesteppedoutandbothofuspulledtheentirewardrobeforward.IslippedroundthebackofitandpushedtheboardforwarduntilIwassurethatI’dleftenoughroomforAnnatoliecomfortably.
Ialsocheckedthefrontofthecupboardwouldn’tlookoddincaseitwasopened.No,therewasenoughspacetofillupwithclothes.
OnceErikwassurethatIwashappywithhishandiwork,heleftAnnaandIalone.
AlthoughpartofmefeltguiltymakingAnnaliebackthere,itwasthebestIcoulddoforherrightnow.
Ilayinbedthemorningaftertheritual,feelingrelievedthatwe’dfoundahidingplaceforAnna.MonaandRhyshadattendedtheritualforthefirsttimein…I’dlosttrackofhowlong.
Ihadnoideawherethey’dgone,butwhereveritwas,clearlyithaddonesomethingtoMona.Thewayshe’dlookedatmefromacrosstheflames,itwasasthoughIwasacompletestranger.
I’dthoughtthiswasjustherwayofdistancingherselffromme.Buthereyesalsoappeareddarker,orperhapsthatwasjustthefirelightplayingtricksonmy
eyes.ApartofmewishedthatMonahadn’treturned.Annahadtakenmymindoff
ofherrecently.ButnowthediscomfortIfeltseeingheragainreturnedfullforce.Thatritualcouldn’thaveendedsoonenough.Assoonasithad,I’dshotrightoutofthecave.
IknewnowthatAnnahadtospendasmuchtimeaspossiblebehindthatcupboard.
Istillhadnosemblanceofalong-termplan,andgiventhatAnnawassoclosetochildbirth,Iwasjusttakingthingsonedayatatime.
Iwasfightingalosingbattle.ButitwasabattleIwascommittedtofightinguntilthebitterend.
AtleastAnnahadstoppedvomitingandwasabletostomachthesimplemealsIwasconcocting.Herfeverwasgonetoo,andshewasmuchmorelucid.Althoughtherewerestilltimeswhensheappearedtodriftoff,sheappearedtoberecovering.
I’ddonemybesttomakethecupboardsoundproofbyaddingextracushionsandblankets.Thoughofcourse,therewasonlysomuchairwecouldblockofforshe’dsuffocate.
AsIlayinbedlisteningtoherbreathing,athoughtthathadbeenatthebackofmymindeversinceI’dfirstsweptheroutofthatdungeoncircledinmymind.
WhyamIdoingallthis?WhywouldIriskmylifeandthelivesofmysiblingsforsomewomanI
barelyevenknow?IshutmyeyesandlaythereforhoursasIsearchedthedeepestpartsofme.I
satuponlyonceI’dfoundmyanswer.OratleastwhatIbelievedtobetheanswer—formyownmindcouldbeaconfusingandtreacherousplacesometimes.
MemoriesofapregnantSofiaflashedbeforemymind.Thebeautifulredheadkneelingbeforeme,tearswellinginhereyesasshebeggedmetoallowherhusbandtobebyhersideduringherpregnancy.Beggingmetohavemercyonherunbornchildren.ThesadnessinhereyesasI’dpunishedherforevenmentioningDerekNovak’snameinmypresence.Thescreamsofhernewborn
asI’dsnatchedhimminutesafterhisbirth.Somewheredeepwithinmyblacksoul,IknewIwasgraspingatwhathad
eludedmeforcenturies:Redemption.
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gotupearlythenextmorningbeforeRhyshadwokenup.Untanglingmyselffromhim,Ipulledonmycloakandlefttheroom.IwantedafewhourstomyselfbeforeIreturnedandgavehimmyanswer.
Iwanderedaimlesslydownthecorridors,recallingthelookonRhys’faceasheaskedmethequestionIwassurehe’dwantedtoaskforyearsnow.He’dlookedhappierandmorenervousthanI’deverseenhimbefore.Iimaginedhowhe’dreactonceIfinallysaidyes.
Istoppedwalking,realizingthatIhadarrivedonKievNovalic’sfloor.IabsentmindedlyplacedmyearagainsthisdoorasIpassedit.
Silence.Backingupagainstthewall,Isliddownitandsatonthefloor,staringatthe
walloppositeme.Imightaswelldosomethinguseful.AlthoughI’dsearchedKiev’sroomandfoundnothing,somethingabouthim
stillleftmesuspicious.“Mona?”IfoundmyselfstaringupatEfren.“Whatareyoudoingupheresoearly?”HeeyedKiev’sfrontdoor,frowning.Hewasstillwearinghisnightclothes.
Istoodupquickly,straighteningmydress,and,rememberingthathewasn’ttoknowanythingaboutoursuspicionsyet,said,“It’snothing,Efren.Iwasjusttakingawalkanddecidedtorestmylegs.”
Helookedatmedisbelievingly.“Youknow,”Efrensaid,placingahandonmybackandleadingmeaway
downthesteps,“I’venoticedKievbehavingratherstrangelyrecently.Icaughthimbringingupatraytohisbedroom.Atraythatsmelledsuspiciouslylikenormalfood.Ithinkhemaybeswipinghumansfromthedungeonandhavingmorethanhisfairshareofblood.”
Heraisedhiseyebrows,thencontinuedwalkingonhisway,leavingmestaringafterhim.
Sothere’sdefinitelysomethinggoingonwiththisvampire.Normalfood.Therewasonlyoneplaceregularfoodwaspreparedandthat
wasthemainkitchenonthegroundfloor.Idecidedtoheaddowntothekitchenandwait.Iwantedtoseeformyself
whatthisvampirewasgettingupto.IreturnedtoRhys’roomfirsttofindhimstillsleeping.Iwalkedovertothe
deskandscribbleddownanote.“I’vegotcausefornewsuspicionsabouttheNovalics.I’llbegoneafew
hoursinvestigating.I’llreturnassoonasIcan.”Iplacedthenoteonmypillow,knowingthatitwouldbethefirstthinghe
lookedatwhenhewoke.
Coveredbyaninvisibilityspell,I’dbeensittinginacornerofthekitchenforacoupleofhoursbeforethevampirewalkedin.Hemadehiswayovertothepantryandreturnedwithahandfulofvegetables.Clearlyhe’dtimedhisarrivaljustbeforethecookscameintobeginpreparinglunch.
Iwatchedasheworkedwithfuriousspeed,choppingthevegetablesintosmallpieces.Heboiledthem,mixedthemwithmilkinabowl,thenpouredoutthefinishedliquidintoabowl.Placingitontopofatrayalongwithalargejug
ofwater,herushedoutoftheroom.Ivanishedmyselffromthespotandreappearedinhiscorridorintimetosee
himcomerunningup.Heopenedhisdoorandslammeditshut.Iplacedmyearagainsthisdooronceagain.Heavyfurniturescrapedagainstthefloor.Andthencamethesoundofa
voiceI’dbeenexpectingtohearallalong.Asoftfemalevoicesaid,“Thankyou.”Ibreathedindeeply,thinkingcarefullyaboutwhatmynextmoveshouldbe.Shewasstillalive.Thatwasarelief.NowIneededtogetheroutofthereas
soonaspossible.Idecidedtojustdothismyself.Stillinvisible,Iappearedontheothersideof
hisdoor.Icreptalongthehallwaytoseethecupboardpulledoutfromthewall,apregnantwomansittingbehinditasshesippedfromabowl.
MybreathingbecameheavierasIpreparedmyselfforwhatIwasabouttodo.
Imanifestedmyself.Thevampireshottohisfeet,hiseyeswidewithshock.Thehumanchoked
onhermeal.“Mona?”“Novalic,”Isaidcoldly.“Thisgameisover.I’vecomefortheimmune.And
Isuggestyoudon’tfight.Itwillonlymakethingsworseforyouandyoursiblings.”
Imovedtowardthehuman,butKievraninfrontofher.TherewasnowayIcouldreachherwithoutdealingwithhim.
Hetoweredoverme,glaringdownatme.Again,IexperiencedthatunnervedfeelingthatsettledovermewheneverIwasaroundhim.
“Whathappenedtoyou?”heaskedsoftly.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Isnapped.“Getoutoftheway.”“Youdon’tremembermeatall,doyou?”Hiseyesdarkened.“Ibarelyknowyou.IbelieveIwasintroducedtoyoubrieflyonce—”Helungedforwardandbroughtmecrashingtothefloor.Hisfullweightwas
overmeashepinnedmedownbymywrists.
AsIwasabouttowieldmypowers,Ifroze,staringupathim.Hiseyeshadturnedred.
Icouldn’tfathomwhy,butwatchingthatgreengivewaytosuchafrighteningredfilledmewithanoverwhelmingsenseofloss.Thesightleftmemorebreathlessthanhisweightcrushingagainstmeevercould.
ItwaslikeafireIdidn’tknowstillexistedwithinmebeingextinguished.Acandlebeingsnuffedout.
“Youreyes,”Ichoked.Hecontinuedglaringdownatme,onehandclosingaroundmythroat.His
clawsscratchedagainstmyskin.Hecouldripthroughmythroatinasplitsecond,butIdidn’tfightback.
AndIdidn’tunderstandwhy.Itwasasifhischangeofcolorhadmademeloseallwilltofight.Icaughtthereflectionofmyowndarkeyesinhiscrimsonirises.AndI
rememberedatimewhenminehadappearedbrightertoo.IrealizedthenthatthesenseoflossIfeltwasformyself.I’velostsomething.WhowasIbeforeIsurrenderedtotheAncient?WhydidIeverallowmyselftosinkintosuchdarkness?IfoundmyselfquestioningeverythingI’ddonesincemyvisittotheAncient,
andsuddenlyitfeltlikeitwasn’tmewho’ddonethesethings.WhatamIdoingwithmylife?I’velostmyway.AndIthinkIevenexpectedthatthiswouldhappenthemomentIhanded
myselfovertoRhys.IreachedmyhandsupandwrappedthemaroundKiev’s,tryingtoloosenhis
holdonme.Again,althoughIcouldhaveusedmypowers,Ididn’t.ThevampireseemedsurprisedthatIwasn’tattemptingtofightback,and
loosenedhisholdaroundmyneck,thoughhestillsatwithhislegseithersideofmywaist.
Hiseyesdidn’tleavemineforamoment.WhatwasitthatImademyselfforgetbefore?
IrememberedthemorningafterIhadtakenthepotion.Ihadwokenupwithtearsstainingmycheeks.
Couldithavebeenthisman?IthoughtofRhys,memoriesofhisproposalthenightbeforefloodingback
throughmymind.Theknotsinmystomachbecametighter.Morepainful.SuddenlyeverythingaboutthepathIwasonseemedwrong.Forced.Ifelt
trappedbymyownactions.Boundupinrope.Needingdesperatelytobecutfree.
JustthinkingaboutmarryingRhysnowmademefeelsicktomystomach.Thatisnotmylife.Rhys’wifeisnotwhatIam.“Iknewyoubefore,didn’tI?”Ibreathed,staringupatthevampire.Hefrowned,thennoddedslowly,hisredeyesgleamingagainsttheembersin
thefireplace.Hestoodup.Iclimbedbacktomyfeetandgrippedhisshirt,staringupinto
hiseyesdesperately.“WhatamI?”Hisjawclenchedashetensedbeneathmytouch.Hegrippedmyhandsandloosenedmyholdonhim,takingastepawayfrom
me.“Idon’tknowwhatyouare.Idon’tthinkI’veeverknown.”Heswallowed
hard.“Please,”Ibreathed.“Helpme.”Hisbreathingbecameheavier.Hisfistsclenched.“You’rethemostimpossiblewomanI’veevermet.Stubborn.Aggravating.
Downrightinsane…Yetyou’velodgedyourselfinmybrainlikenoother.AndIhavenoideawhy.”
“Ilovedyou?”Hescowled.“Youhadastrangewayofshowingitifyoudid.”“Ilovedyou,”Irepeated.Andthistime,itwasn’taquestion.Hestaredatme.Iclosedmyeyes.HowIwassureofsuchastatementwhenIhadno
memoriesofthisman,Ididn’tknow.ButI’dneverbeenmorecertainofanythinginmylife.
Hestoodtherespeechless.Iwalkedtowardhimandreachedupahandtotouchhisface.Ibrushedmyfingersagainsthisstubble,mybreathhitchingasIrelishedthefeelofhim.
WhenIlookedupagain,Iwasstaringintoemeraldgreeneyes.SeveralshadesbrighterthanI’deverseenthembefore.
Atthatmoment,myheartsang.Mychestfeltlighter.Hopefilledmydarksoul.Andthencamethememories.Floodingbackinwaves.Fillingmycloudedmindwiththeecstasy,thebrightsunshine,thatKievwastome.
“Irememberyounow,”Iwhispered,placingapalmagainsthischest,overhisheart.“You’remymirror.”
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ou’remymirror.”Herwordsranginmyears.
Hercoolpalmrestingagainstmyheart,Ireachedupandtouchedhergently,brushingstrandsofherhairawayfromherfacesothatIcouldtakeinthefullbeautythatshewastome.
“Iseemyselfinyou,”shemurmured.“Iseemydarkness.Mystruggles.Mybasedesires.AndI…Ithinkthat’ssomethingthatnoamountofmagiccancoverup.”
SomethingMatteohadoncetoldmecametotheforefrontofmymind.“Ofcreatureswhoinhabitthedarkness,therearetwotypes.Thosewhorevel
init,andthosewhofighttoescapeit.”AlthoughsometimesIstillhadtroublebelievingit,hehadsaidthatI
belongedtothelattergroup,andthatwaswhyhehadgivenmeasecondchance.PerhapswhatMonaissayingistrue.Maybewemirroreachother.Maybe
she’salsostrugglingtoescapeitandthat’swhyIfeelthisinexplicablepulltowardher.Why,despiteallherfaults,Ican’tgetenoughofher.
Maybemysearchforredemptionissharedbyher,andshemakesmefeellikeI’mnotaloneinthisdarktunnelwithseeminglynoend.
Ibreathedoutasrealizationdawnedonme.
“
AsIstareddownatMona’spaleface,alltheconfusionthathadbeenpentupwithinmeeversinceI’dmetherbegantocrumbleaway.
We’vebothspentouryearstryingtopiecetogetherthescrapsoflifewe’vebeenthrown.
Andnowwehaveeachother,evenaswegodowntogether.Atthatmoment,Iwantednothingmorethantoholdher.Kissher.Feelher.
Losemyselfinher.MyneedforherconsumedmeasIpulledherflushagainstmeandpressed
mymouthagainstanypartofherIcouldreach.Herchest,neck,cheeks,lips.IgroanedasIbreathedinherscent.Sheplacedherhandseithersideofmyface.Hertearswetmycheeksasshekissedmehungrily.Shecrushedherselfagainstme,herarmstighteningaroundmyneckasthoughshewasdrowning.AndIwasherliferaft,evenifIsankwithher.
Whenwefinallydetachedourselvesfromeachother,therealityofoursituationfloodedback.
Istilldidn’tknowwhyexactlyMonahadtriedtoerasehermemoriesofme,butnothinghadchangedaboutoursituation.ShestillbelongedtoRhys…
Shedrewinasharpbreath,grippingmyhands.“IhavethepowertobreakfreefromRhysnow,”shesaid.“What?”“Iwasgrantedthesamepowersashim,thepowersofaChanneler.Heno
longerhasthesamestrengthovermehedidbefore.I…Icanbreakfreefromhim.”Shespokeslowly,asthoughtheconceptoffreedomwasonlyjustsinkingin.
“Breakfreefromhim?Andgowhere?”“Anywhere.Farawayfromhere.Icanfreeyoutoo.Andyoursiblings,if
theywanttocome.”Shepaused,hereyeswidening.“Butwehavetobequick.”Herwordssentmyheadspinning.IlookedoveratAnna,whosepresenceI’dforgottenuntilnow.Shockand
anxietywaswrittenonherfaceasshewatchedMonaandI.Maybewe’llbeabletoreturnAnnatoherfamilyafterall.“Rhysproposedtomelastnight,”Monacroaked.
Thatreturnedmyattentiontoher.“What?”Shenodded.“Ifwearetoescape,ithastobeassoonaspossible.Tonight.”Tonight.“Howdoyousuggestwegoaboutthis?”Iasked.Shechewedonherlowerlipandbeganpacingthefloor,rubbingher
temples.Whensheturnedtomeagain,itwaswithnervousanticipation.“Gonowandwarnyoursiblingsthatweplantoleavetwohoursafter
midnight,tomorrowmorning.Tellthemtowaitbythesecondlargestshipintheport—TheJourneyman,it’scalled.Alargedarkbrownship.It’smooredrightnexttotheBlackBell.I’mstillnotsurewhyyoustolethisimmune,butsinceyouseemtobebentonprotectingher,bringhertoo.You’llcomedownatthesametimeasyoursiblings.I’llmeetyouthere.Andoncewe’realltogether,I’llbreakthroughallofourbondsatonce.”
Shereacheduptokissmeoncemorebeforetakingastepback.“Ineedtogonow.I’vealreadybeenawaytoolong.I’llseeyoutomorrow
morning.Pleasemakesurethatnoneofyouarelate.”Inodded,althoughIhatedthatshehadtoleavemeagainsosoonafterI’d
rediscoveredher.Shevanished.IlookedoveratAnna.Shebreathedout,clutchingherstomach.“ThankGod,”shebreathed.Ihadnotimetowastenow.“Anna,Ineedtogoandfindmysiblings,”Isaid.Ipushedthecupboardbackagainstthewall,concealingherinthesmall
spaceonceagain.“I’llbebackassoonaspossible,”Iwhispered.Irushedtowardthedoorand,carefultolockit,beganracingdownthe
hallwayupthestaircasetomysiblings’quarters.IbargedthroughHelina’sdoorandwasrelievedtofindbothherandErik
sittinginthelivingroomsippingonglassesofblood,deepinconversation.They
lookedupatmeinalarmasIstormedintotheroom.“Kiev?”IexplainedeverythingasquicklyasIcould.Theysatdumbstruck.“Mona…Doyoueventrusther?”Erikasked.“Whatifthisisalljustatest—
atraptoseeifwe’reloyaltothem?”“ItrustMona,”Isaidquickly.“Idon’thavetimetoexplain.Youjustneedto
trustmewhenIsaythatthisisn’tsomesortoftest.Thisisreal.Andquitepossiblethefirstandlastopportunitytoescapethisplaceyou’llhavefortherestofyourlives.I’mleavingwithhertomorrow.It’suptoyouifyouwanttocomewithus.”
Therewasasilence.Theyexchangedmoreworriedglances.“We’llbethere,Kiev,”Eriksaid.“I’mtrustingyouthatthisisworththe
risk.”Iheavedasigh.I’dbeenexpectingittotakelongertoconvincethem.“Good.NowIhavetoreturntoAnna.Remember,whateveryoudo,donot
belate.I’llseeyouearlytomorrowmorning.”Idashedoutoftheapartmentandhurriedbackdownthestepstowardmy
chambers.AsIsteppeddownthelaststepleadingtomyfloor,Ifoundmyselffaceto
facewiththelastpersononthisislandIneededtoseerightnow.Thegingerwarlock,Efren.
“Inahurry,vampire?”heasked.Ibrushedpasthim,buthereachedoutandgrippedmyarm.Withhisotherhand,heheldupaclumpoflonggingerhair.Hedroppedit
downonthefloorinfrontofme.“Ishouldhavehadthesensetotestherhairrightatthebeginningfortraces
ofpotion.”Istoodstill,speechless.AlthoughIdidn’tletmyfacedisplayeventhe
slightesthintofemotion.“AndguesswhatIdiscovered?Shehadrecentlytaken—orbeengiven—
somekindofmemory-alteringpotion.Youwouldn’thappentoknowanythingaboutthat,wouldyou?”
“I’mafraidnot.”“Hmm…Somehow,Ijustdon’tbelieveyou,Novalic.Nobodyelseonthis
islandwouldhavedonethistomysister.Iknowthemalltoowell.Ofcourse,Ican’tprovetoRhysthatitwasyouwhodidthis,butitdoesn’tmatter.BecauseIknowitwasyou.”
Ibrushedpasthim,butasIturnedmybackonhim,hereachedoutandgrabbedmyshoulder.Ashisfingersclosedaroundit,anexcruciatingpainshotthroughmybody.Mylegsgavewaybeneathme.Ilookeddowninhorrortoseethathehadparalyzedme.Icouldn’tmovethemaninch.
“Don’tworry,”hehissed,bendingdownsothathisfacewasbarelyaninchawayfrommine.“I’mnotgoingtobetheonetopunishyouandmakeyousuffer.I’mgoingtoleavethattosomeonemorecapable…”
Hereacheddownand,ashetouchedmyhead,wevanishedfromthespot.
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hyswasgonebythetimeIenteredourapartmentandhedidn’treturnuntillaterthatevening.Iwasabouttostepintheshowerwhenhereturned.Isteppedoutofthebathroom,atowelwrappedaroundme,assoonasthefrontdooropened.
“Well?”heasked.“Nothingstill,”Isighed,leaningagainstthedoorway.“WhatwasitthatcausedyoutohavefreshsuspicionsoftheNovalics?”“Oh,IrememberednoticingHelinasneakbehindthecaveaftertheritual.I
thoughtI’djustgoandcheckthosebouldersandcavesnearthebeachtoseeifshemighthavehiddentheimmunethere.Buttherewasnothing.”
“Well,it’sgoodthatyouwerealertenoughtocheck.”Hepulledoffhiscloakandstartedremovinghisboots.Iwalkedovertothebalcony,lookingout,tryingtocalmmyrapidbreathing.Hewalkedupbehindme,slidinghishandsbeneathmytowelandplacing
bothhandsovermybarestomach.Hepulledmebackagainsthim,kissingmyneck.
Hepaused.“WhydoyousmellofJulisse’sperfume?”Hiswordsbewilderedme.IknewnowthatKievwasmakingAnnause
perfumetomaskthesmellofherblood.ButwhythehellwoulditbeJulisse’s
perfume?“D-doI?Ihavenoidea,”wastheonlyresponseIcouldthinkof.“Hm.”“I’vebeenthinkingaboutlastnight,”Isaidbeforehestartedthinkingmore
aboutit.Heranhisfingersthroughmyloosehair,pullingmyheadbackandpressing
hislipsagainstmyforehead.IfelthisAdam’sapplemoveagainstthebackofmyheadashespoke.“Tellme,”hesaidsoftly.
“Iwanttocompleteus,Rhys,”Iwhisperedseductively.“Iwanttohaveyourchildren.”
Hisheartbeatfasteragainstme.Iturnedaroundtofacehim.Hislipswerepartedslightlyashestareddown
atme.Andthen,tomyhorror,atearglistenedinoneofhiseyes.Ihadn’tseenRhyscrysincehewasachild.I’dlostcountofhowmanyyearsI’dspentcravingtoseeanykindofsignof
humanityinRhys.Anyglimmerofemotion.Butnow,IwishedtoGodthathewouldn’tshowit.Iwantedtothinkofhim
asdeadtofeelings.Deadtolove.Iwantedhishearttobemadeofstone,becausethenitwouldn’tbebrokenwhenIlefthim.
Hescoopedmeupinhisarmsandtwirledmeroundtheroom,buryinghisheadagainstmyneck.
Hissmile.Itwasboyishanduninhibited.Itwasthesmileofmybestfriend,whomatonetimeIwouldhavedoneanythingfor.
Mythroattightenedashebentdownandtenderlykissedmylips.Hereachedfortheheavyringonthedressingtableandsliditontomyfinger.
Itweigheddownmyshakinghand,butitweigheddownmyachingheartmore.Throughoutallofit,hethoughtIwascryingtearsofhappiness.Whenreally,
IwassheddingtearsofguiltasIimaginedhimwakingupaloneinbedthemorningaftertheloveofhislifehadfinallyagreedtomarryhim,withnoideawhereshe’dgone.Iimaginedhimpassingtherestofhisyearsaloneinhisdarkness,neverunderstandingwhyshe’ddesertedhimonwhatshouldhavebeenthehappiestnightofherlife.
ButIdidn’tbelongwithRhys.Nomatterhowmuchhelovedme,Inevercouldreturnhislove.He’dfallen
toofarandIdidn’tknowhowtosavehim.HethoughtIwascryingtearsofjoyashewipedmyfacewithhisthumbs,
showeringmewithkisses.Whenreally,Iwascryingtearsofgoodbye.
Rhysevenexcusedusfromtheritualthatevening.Hedidn’twanttointerruptourtimetogether.
Itwasjustaswell.Asitwas,Iwasafraidthathemightnotbeasleepintimeformetosneakoutattwoam.IcametoregrettellinghimI’dmarryhim.Ishouldhaveexpectedthathewouldn’tbeabletokeephishandsoffme.
Butatabouthalfpastone,tomysurprise,therewasaknockonthedoor.Rhyspulledonhisrobeandopenedthefrontdoor.Efren’svoicecamefromthecorridor.“Rhys,I’msorrytobotheryouatthislatehour.Butthere’ssomethingIneed
toshowyouurgentlyinthespellroom.”Rhysreturnedtothebedroom,lookingatmeapologetically.“I’llbebackassoonasIcan.”Hekissedmyforeheadanddisappearedfromtheroom.Ididn’tthinkI’deverfeelasgratefultoEfrenasIdidthen.Histiming
couldn’thavebeenmoreperfect.Thisisit.Thisismychancetoleavenow.Forever.Ireachedforapieceofparchmentbythedeskandscribbleddownashort
note.“Goneforawalk.Neededsomefreshair.”Ileftthenoteonmypillow.Iwasabouttovanish,butthensomething
occurredtome.IopenedthedrawerofmydressingtableandrummagedarounduntilIfoundtheoldleatherbinderI’dretrievedfromtheAgeless’palacebackin
TheSanctuary.Istilldidn’tknowexactlywhatthesemapswere,buttheyseemedimportant.Pullingonmycloakandtuckingthebindersafelybeneathit,Ivanished.
IreappearedoutsideTheJourneyman.Twodarkfigureswaitedbytheship.HelinaandErik.
Ilookedaround,frowning.“KievandAnna?”HelinaandErikexchangedworriedglances.“Wethoughttheywerecomingwithyou.”
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verylimbinmybodywasnowparalyzed.Icouldn’tfightagainstthechainsEfrenhadboundmein.Ijustsatinthatundergroundroom,slouchedagainstthewall,barelyevenabletosupporttheweightofmyownhead.
Efrenapproachedholdingawhite-hotpoker.Igroanedasheranitalongmychest,burningacrossintomyskin.Itwasn’thealing,soIassumedthathe’dputsomeotherspellonmetohindermybody’snaturalhealingcapabilities.
AsIwasclosetounconsciousness,hestoppedhistortureandlefttheroom.Darknesscloudingmyvision,Istaredatthetwohumansoppositeme.Oneayounggirl,theotheranolderman.NowmymindcamealivewithpanicaboutAnna.Shewouldstillbetrappedinmyroom.AssumingEfrenhadn’talreadysniffedherout.
Ishoutedoutinanguish.MonaandmysiblingswouldbewaitingformeandAnnabynowattheport.Efrenappearedintheroomagain,andthistime,Rhyswaswithhim.Rhysstareddownatme,hiseyeswidewithshock.“Novalic?”“Ifoundhiminhere,Rhys.Icaughthimsnoopingaround.I’mnotsurewhat
hewashereforexactly.Anyway,whenhesawhe’dbeencaughtdownherehemadearunforit,butImanagedtostophimbeforehemadeitouttheexit.Now,
Itrustyou’lldowhat’sneeded.”Rhysreacheddownandgrippedmyneck.Hesqueezedhard,chokingme.Hestampeddownonmylimpknee,crushingitwithhisheavybootintothe
ground.“I’lltakeitfromhere,”Rhyssaid.“Ofcourse,”Efrensaid,notevenbotheringtohidethewayhewasleeringat
me.Hevanished.“It’sashame,”Rhyssaidsoftly.“Ineverdidcometoknowyouthatmuch,
butIthoughtyouwouldbelikeyoursiblings.ClearlyIwaswrong.Youhaveletthemdown.”
Lettinggoofme,hewalkedovertoacauldroninthecorneroftheroom.Hestartedpullingbottlesofftheshelvesandtippingingredientsintothecauldron.Helitafirewithasparkfromhispalms.
“Outofrespectfortheloyaltyofyoursiblingsifnothingelse,I’llmakethisquick.”
Makewhatquick?Iwatchedashestirredtheingredients.“Youmustunderstandthatweneedtomaintaintheintegrityofthisplace.It’s
sacredspace.Therefore,ImustpresentyouasasacrificetoourAncients.”Hecroucheddownnexttothecauldronand,drawingasyringefromhis
pocket,drewsomeofthepotionintoit.Thenhecrossedtheroomanddugtheneedleintomyneck.
Asthepotionenteredmybloodstream,itfeltlikemyskinwasonfire.Ititchedunbearably,asthoughtherewereathousandcentipedescrawlingbeneathmyskin.
“Thiswillhelptocleanseyoursystem.Andmakeyoumoreflammableoncewe’veremovedyourheart,”hesaidcasually,walkingbackovertothecounterandputtingawaysomeoftheingredients.
Oncehewasdone,hepickedupawoodenstakerestingagainstthewallinthecorneroftheroom.
Raisingitoverhisshoulder,hewalkedoveratmeandaimeditdirectlyatmyheart.
“Again,Novalic,thisisallforagreatercause.”Hebroughtthestakeslammingdowntowardmychest.Iclosedmyeyes,expectingtofeelitpiercingthroughmyflesh.Insteadafter
afewsecondsIrealizedthatitstiphadn’tevengrazedmyskin.Ilookedup,perplexed.Rhysappearedtobejustasshockedasmetoseethe
stakefrozeninmid-air,afewcentimetersawayfromme.“Stepaway,Rhys.”Rhysstumbledback.Monastoodacrosstheroom,hereyesburningwithanger.
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’dwaitedforhalfanhourdownbytheport.WhenKievstilldidn’tshowup,panichadgrippedme.
I’drusheduptohisroomandfoundAnnastilltrappedbehindthecupboardinadistressedcondition.I’dtransportedherbackdowntotheboat,entrustingHelinaandEriktolookafterher.
Andthen,rememberingEfrencomingandknockingonthedoor,afrighteningsuspicionhadarisenwithinme.I’dheadedstraighttotheundergroundspellroom.
NothingcouldhavepreparedmeforwhatI’dseenwhenI’dentered.AfterI’dhaltedthestake,alltheblooddrainedfromRhys’faceashestared
atmeinshock.Althoughithurtmejustasmuchashim,Icouldn’tremainacowardanylonger.
Holdingoutmypalms,Isenthimflyingback.Hecrashedagainstthewall,hisheadsmashingagainstglassbottlesasseveralshelvescameunhinged.
Hedidn’teventrytogettohisfeet.Hejustsatonthefloor,hisbackagainstthewallashestaredupatme.Hisbreathingwasshallow,hislipspartedindisbelief.
I’dhopedthatthedaywouldnevercomewhenI’dhavetogoagainstRhysfacetoface.I’dhopedIcouldjustsneakawayintothenightandneverhaveto
witnesstheexpressiononhisfacethatIsawnow.Mypowersweren’tneededtowinthisbattle.I’dalreadyslicedthroughhis
heartwithmyliesandbetrayal.EvenasIapproachedKievandrestoredmobilitytohisbody,Rhysdidn’t
budge.Althoughbloodtrickleddownfromhishead,whereglasshadcuthim,therewasn’teventheslightestflickerofvengeanceorangerbehindhiseyes.
Justhurt.Defeat.Confusion.Emotionsthathadcomeyearstoolate.Emotionsthatkilledme.TearsspilleddownmycheeksasIhelpedKievuptheladdertowardthe
trapdoor.“Goodbye,Rhys,”Iwhispered,shuttingmyeyestightasmyvoicecracked.
TheonlycomfortIcouldclingtowastohopethatoneday,somehow,hewouldbreakfreefromhisself-inflictedchains.
ButI’dhungaroundfortoolongtobewillingtowaitforhimanylonger.Ijusthopedthatifhedidbreakfree,he’dfindanotherpersonwhocouldfulfillhimthewayKievfulfilledme.
Sobswrackingmybody,Ilockedeyeswithmybestfriendforthelasttimebeforewedisappearedintothenight.
W
CH A P T E R 3 4 : K I E V
ereappearedoutsidetheporttofindAnnaandmytwosiblingswaitingforus.MyeyesfellonAnna.Shelookedinaterriblestateasshemoanedwithpain.Althoughmylegswerestillunsteady,Iscoopedherupinmyarmsandweallboardedtheship.
“Weneedtohurry,”Monasaid,hervoicestillshaking.“Rhysmighthaveletusgo,butonceIsoldeandtheotherwitchesdiscoverwhathappened,theywon’tletusgowithoutafight.”
ErikandHelinasettoworkatthefrontoftheshiporganizingthesharks.Wejoltedforwardsosuddenly,IalmostlostmybalancewithAnnainmyarms.Iheadedtowardthelowerdeck.
“Wait,”Monacalled.“Ineedtobreakyourbondtothisislandbeforeweexittheboundary.”
Impatiently,IputAnnadownandstoodbeforeMona.“Closeyoureyes,”shesaid.Ihadnoideawhatshewasdoingasshemutteredsomethingbeneathher
breath.Shepressedherthumbagainstthecenterofmyforehead.“Okay,you’redone.”Ifeltnodifferent,butItrustedthatsheknewwhatshewasdoing.She
hurriedovertomysiblingstodothesametothem.
IpickedupAnnaagainandtookherbeneaththedeck.Iranalongthenarrowpassageways.Lookingineachofthecabins,Ifinallystoppedoutsideonethatcontainedaparticularlylargebed.IlaidAnnaontopofit.
“Allright,”Isaid.“Justwait—”Mysister’sscreamfilledmyears.LeavingAnnaonthemattress,Iracedbackupstairs.Myjawdroppedon
seeingRhysstandinginthecenterofthedeck,grippingHelinabytheneck.MonaandErikstoodafewfeetaway,tryingtoreasonwiththewarlock.
“No!”Iroared.IsawredandlaunchedmyselfatRhys.Asheheldupapalm,thebreathwas
knockedoutofmeandIcrashedbacktenfeet,landingonthewoodenfloor.Incensed,Isprangbacktomyfeet.“Whydon’tyoufightmelikeaman?”Hatredburnedinhiseyesastheyfixedonmine.Slowly,heloosenedhisgrip
onHelina’sneck,andshesanktothefloor,choking.“Rhys!”Monagrippedholdofhisarmandtuggedhimback.“Getyourhandsoffme,traitor,”hespat,brushingheraway.“Didyoureally
thinkthatI’djustsitbackandletyouallescape?”Hecontinuedwalkingtowardmeandstoppedafewfeetaway.“Fightyoulikeaman?”hesaidsoftly,removinghiscloakandthrowingitto
thefloor.“Nothingwouldgivemegreaterpleasure.”
I
CH A P T E R 3 5 : M ON A
staredinhorrorasRhysapproachedKiev.“No!”Ishouted.Kievwasstillinjured.Hislegswerestillunsteady.“It’sallright,”Rhyssaid.“Ipromisetonotuseanymagic.”Hereachedforhisbeltandpulledouthislongsilverdagger.AtfirstI
thoughthewasgoingtoattackKievwithit,buthedroppedittotheground.Instead,hestretchedouthisemptypalmandmanifestedasmallwoodenstake.
“Thiswoodagainstyourclaws,”hesaidtoKiev.“I’dsaythisismantoman.”
AsIreachedoutmypalms,abouttocurseRhys,Kievhelduphishandandshouted,“No,Mona.Stop.I’llfighthim.”
“Kiev,no!You’renotstrongenoughyet.”HeignoredmeandstaredbackatRhys,thetwomennowonlyafewfeet
apart.Iwatchedwithbatedbreathasthetwomenbegantocircleeachother.Kiev
extendedhisclawsandbaredhisfangs.HelinaandErikhurriednexttomeasweallwatchedwithknottedstomachs.Rhysmadethefirstmoveinthisdeadlydance.HeflewtowardKiev,
grippinghismidriffandsendingthembothcrashingtothefloor.Raisingthe
stakeintheair,hedirecteditatthevampire’schest.GrippingRhys’arms,Kievdughisclawsintohisfleshuntilbloodleaked
throughthewarlock’sshirt.Rhysgruntedandsprangoffhim.Thetwomenstoodoppositeeachotheragain,breathingheavilyastheycalculatedtheirnextmoves.
Kievlashedout,attemptingtoknockthestakefromRhys’hands.Butthewarlockdodgedhim.Rhyscaughtholdofaropethatdangledfromoneofthemastsandswunghimselfupontotheedgeoftheship.Fromthisvantagepoint,hestareddownatKiev.Thevampirejumpedupafterhim—bothofthemnowbalancingonthewoodenrailing.Thetwomendidn’tbreakeyecontactforasecond.
IgaspedasRhyslaunchedallhisweightatKiev,causingthembothtofalloverboard.Erik,HelinaandIrantotheedge.Iscannedthewaters.Thetwomonstersresurfacedandbeganclashinginthewaves.
“Thesharks!”Helinagasped,pointingtowardadozenblackfinsprotrudingfromthewater.
Erikswore.Weallracedtothefrontoftheship,attemptingtoreinthemin.Butthetwomenweresoclosetotheship,itwasimpossible.Iclimbedontothewoodenrailing,staringatthesharks.Iwouldhaveblastedthemalloutofthewater,butthesharkswerenowcirclingsoclosetothetwomen,ImighthitKievintheprocess.
Andthenitwastoolate.Kievgroaned.Bloodstainedthewater.IscreamedasRhysgrippedKiev’sneckandsubmergedhimbeneaththewaves.
“No!”IshriekedandaimedacurseatRhys.Itmissedhimandbouncedoffthewater.Heglaredupatme,and,tomyshock,letgoofthevampire.ButevenwithoutRhysholdinghimdown,thevampirestilldidn’temerge.Icouldn’tevenseetheshadowofhisformbeneaththewateranymore.
“Kiev!”Erikrippedoffhisshirtanddoveinafterhisbrother.Iwasabouttodivein
too,butRhysclimbeduptheedgeoftheship.Heswunghimselfbackonthedeckseveralfeetawayfromme.Hisdarkhairdripping,heglaredatme.
“Youwanttoplaywithmagicnow?”heasked,hisvoicelow,eyesglinting
dangerously.Itwasasifalltracesofmybestfriendhadvanishednowandinhisplace
wastheruthlessmonsterIwasusedto.AlthoughIwasdyingtohelpKiev,thetimehadcomeformetofaceRhys
onceandforall.ItrembledasIthrewmycloaktoheground.Icouldwieldpowersasstrongashisnow.MyproblemwasIdidn’thavenearlyasmuchcontroloverthem.I’donlyhadthemforashortwhileandhadn’tspentenoughtimehoningthem.
Iheldoutmypalmsandaimedmyfirstcurse.Hedodgediteffortlessly.Ithrewanotherathim.Againhedodgeditwithease.AmIreallysopredictable?
IrecallednowhowduringtrainingsRhyshadanticipatedmyeverymove.Heknowsmetoowell.
Hehelduphisownpalmsandasearingburstoflightshottowardme.Iputupaforcefieldaroundmyselfjustintimetoavoidit.
“Itaughtyouwell,”hemuttered,leeringatme.IhadtorelinquishtheforcefieldasIsentanothercursehurtlinghisway,but
onceagainheducked.Heraisedhispalmsagainandthistime,astreamofthunderingcursesflew
fromthem.Iquicklyputtheshielduparoundmeagain,sweatdrippingfrommyforeheadfromtheforceofhisattack.
Don’tbreak,Mona.You’restrongerthanthis.Ascreampiercedtheair.Helinalayonthedeckaboutfifteenfeetawayfromme,grippingherchestas
hereyesrolledintheirsockets.No!Panicgrippedme.OneofRhys’spellsmusthavebouncedoffmyshieldand
hither.IvanishedandreappearednexttowhereHelinalay.Althoughsheneeded
urgentattention,Icouldn’ttakemyeyesoffofRhysashebeganwalkingtowardme.
Impatiencewasstartingtoshowinhisfacenow.He’shadenoughplay.Now,hejustwantstofinishthejob.
AlthoughHelinashookatmyfeet,IfixedallmymentalpoweronRhysonceagain.PushingHelinaoutoftheway,Iracedtowardtheoppositeendoftheboatasfarawayfromheraspossible.Rhysfollowedslowly,clenchinghishandsashewalked.Heleaptupontotheedgeoftheshipandstareddownatme.
Thisisitnow.Ihavetoendhim.IrecalledwhatRhyshadtoldmeduringtraining:inordertogainfullcontrol
ofmypowers,Ihadtobefreeofemotion.SomethingthatwasimpossibletodowhenIhadnoideawhatstateKievwasinorwhetherErikhadevenmanagedtorescuehim.
AsIstaredintoRhys’pitch-blackeyes,alltheangerandresentmentthatI’dfelttowardhimovertheyearsbubbledupinsideme.EverythingthatI’deverhatedhimforcametothesurface.Takingadvantageofmytrustandfriendship.Stealingawaymyinnocence.Luringmeawayfrommyhome.CursingeveryoneIeverlovedtodie.Trappingmeinalifethatwasn’tmyown…
Iexpectedtheemotionscoursingthroughmetohaveanadverseaffectonmypowers,asRhyshadalwayssaidtheywould.Butaburstofrenewedstrengthignitedwithinme.Iwasnolongerstrugglingtomaintaintheforcefieldaroundme.
Hisprowessseemedlessinsurmountable.Whereaspreviously,IneverthoughtIpossessedtheconcentrationto
maintaintheshieldaroundmewhilealsoaimingcurses,nowIattemptedit.EvenRhyslookedshockedasafieryblastfrommyrightpalmsingedhis
shoulder.Closingmyeyesandtakingadeepbreath,IwilledallthestrengthIhad
withinmetomyfingertips.Oncemyhandswereshakingforrelease,Iletgo.Ithappenedsofast,Icouldbarelybelievemyeyes.Aragingballoffirehithimsquareinthechest.Hiseyeswidened.Hislipsparted.Hisbackcurvedandhelosthisbalance,
fallingintothesea.Irantotheedgeandlookeddown.Hisheadbobbedabovethewaves,his
bodymotionless.Hefloatedforseveralminutes,andwhenIstillsensednomotioninhis
limbs,Irushedbacktowardthefrontoftheship.Iwasn’tsureifhewasdead,buthewascertainlyunconscious.Andthatwasgoodenoughfornow.
Solong,Rhys.IgaspedonseeingKievsprawledoutonthedeck,deepwoundscoveringhis
legsandarms.Erikwasbyhisside,tryingtofeedhimhisblood.“Erik,”Isaid.“Getthosesharksmovingasfastasyoucan.Weneedtoget
awayfromhere.”IturnedbacktofaceKiev.Thevampirelookedupatmewithhoodedeyes.I
felltothefloorandheldhisheadbetweenmyhands,mytearsfallingontohisfaceasIkissedhissaltyskin.Iranmyhandsoverhislimbs,healinghiswoundswithmytouch.
AlthoughIwantednothingmorethantostaywithhim,nowIhadtohelpHelina.
“Yoursister…Ihavetogo.”“Huh?”Kievclimbedtohisfeet,followingmeasIhurriedovertowhereI’d
lefthissister.WhenhiseyesfellonHelina,stillwrithingonthefloor,heopenedhismouthinhorror.
Hecrawledoverherandgrippedhershoulders.“Whathappened?”heasked.PushingKievaside,Isatdownonthefloornexttohissisterandcaughther
headinmyhands,studyinghervacant—andnowbloodshot—eyes.“I’mnotsure,”Iwhispered.Rhyshadbeenfiringsomanycursesatme,Ididn’tknowwhichonecould
havehither.Besides,cursesoftenhadadifferenteffectonvampiresthantheydidonwitches.IworriedthatImightnotbeabletofigureoutanantidoteintime.
ButIhadnotimetodoubtmyabilities.Ibeganmutteringonechantaftertheother,tryingeverythingIcouldthinkofthatcouldmitigatethecursethatwasconsumingHelina.
Imusthavesatthereforalmostanhourbefore,tomyrelief,herbreathingslowedandhertremblinglessened.Hereyesstoppedrollingandafterafewminutesshesatup,blinkingandlookingaround.
“Wh-whathappened?”
Cursescouldcausetemporarymemoryloss,especiallyonesaspowerfulasRhyshadbeenthrowing.HadInotbecomeaChanneler,therewasnowaythatordinarymagiccouldhavesavedher.I’dneverthoughtI’dfindmyselffeelingsogratefultoLilith.
“You’llrememberinafewhours,”Isaid,placingmypalmagainstHelina’sforeheadtocheckhertemperature.“Fornow,justsitdownanddon’tdoanythingstrenuous.”
Kievgrippedherarmsandhelpedpullhertoherfeet.HesatherdowninachairnexttowhereErikwasnavigatingtheship.Ilookeddownatthewavesrushingpastus.ItseemedthatthesharkshadgainedrenewedstrengthfromKiev’sblood.
Ilookedbehindus,myeyesfixedonthespotwheretheinvisibleislandwas.Wherewe’dleftRhysfloatinginthewaves.
Finally,Iamfree.
A
CH A P T E R 3 6 : K I E V
ssoonasMonahadhealedmysister,allIcouldthinkaboutwasAnna.Irushedbackdowntothelowerdeck,dreadingwhatsightmightbeawaitingmeinhercabin.
“Kiev,”shegasped,lookingupatmeassoonasIentered,herforeheadcoveredwithbeadsofsweat.“Ithinkmywaterbroke.”
IsworeasIrealizedshewasright.Iranintothecabinnextdoorandrippedthesheetsoffthebedandalso
grabbedanyotherfabricsIcouldfind—towels,curtains,anythingabsorbent.Anna’seyeswereshuttightasshecontractedonthebed,hermoans
becominglouderandlouderbythesecond.Coveringherwithasheet,Iassistedherinundressing.ThenIproppedherupagainstherpillow.
Igrippedherclammyhand,tryingtocalmherasbestasIcould.Shesqueezedmeback,bitingherlipastearsdrippeddownhercheeks.
“Pleasedon’tleaveme,”shebreathed.“Anna,”Isaid,grippingherjawandforcinghertofaceme.“I’mnotgoing
anywhere.”AndIkeptmypromise.Isatwithherforhoursasthecontractionsbecamelonger,closertogetherand
moreintense.Asherbodystartedshakingandshivering.Asshebegantobear
down.EvenwhenMonashoweduptoassist,Ididn’tleave.IwastheretoguideAnnawhenandhowtopushastheinfant’sheadstartedtobecomevisible.Toholdherscreamingbabyboyinmyhands.TohandAnnaherchildforthefirsttime.Toslitmypalmwithabladeandmakehersipmybloodtospeedupthehealingprocess.
Iwasthereforhereverystepoftheway.ThewayIshouldhavebeenthereforSofia.
O
CH A P T E R 3 7 : K I E V
nceIwassurethatbothAnnaandherbabywereinastablecondition,IcaughtMona’shandandwalkedoutofthecabin,leavingthetwoofthemalone.
Wewalkedupthestepsandontothedeckabove.Wewerenowfarawayfromtheisland.Therewasnothingbutthousandsofmilesofoceanstretchingoutallaroundus.
Ifrownedonseeingthewavesglisteninginsofteveningsunlight,evenasourboatwasshadowedindarkness.
IlookedatMona.Shesmiled.“Finally,I’mabletobeofuse.”Erikwasstillatthefrontoftheship,managingthesharks,whileHelinasat
inachairnexttohim.“YourbrotherhadafewwoundstoowhichIhealed.Buttheyweren’tnearly
asbadasyours,”Monasaid,eyeingmysiblings.“AsforHelina,sheseemstoberecoveringfasterthanIexpected.”
IsighedwithreliefasIwalkedwithMonatowardtheoppositeendoftheship.Webothstoodinsilence,watchingasthewavesrushedpastus.
Andwhatnow?Iponderedthequestionforseveralminutes.PerhapsMonawasdoingthe
same.“IneedtofindawaytoreturnAnnatoherfamily.”Islippedmyhands
aroundMona’swaist,pullingherbackagainstmychest.“ButI’mtorn,yousee,”Iwhisperedintoherear.“BecauseIalsofinallyhaveapowerfulwitchtodelivertoMatteo.”
Shechuckledandtwistedherheaduptofaceme.“Well,whosaysyoucan’tdoboth?”shesaid,raisingabrow.Icontemplatedthetwodifferenttasksaheadofme.IthoughtfirstofMatteoandSaira.Iimaginedwhatitwouldfeelliketogain
theirtrustbackbyhavingmysiblingsexplainwhatreallyhappened,andthenpresentingthemwithMona.Iimaginedthesmilesontheirfaces.
Ijusthopedthatnothingbadhadhappenedtotheminthemeantime.Somuchtimehadpassed.AndIknewhowvulnerabletheyallwere,allofthembundledintothatshipwithoutawitch.IbadlyneededtofindMatteoandmakesureheandhiscrewweresafe.Ineededtodothisforhim.Butmostofall,IneededtodothisforNatalie.
Ontheotherhand,therewasreturningAnna.She’dalreadybeenawayfromherfamilyfortoolong,andsheneededherhusband.EventhoughitwouldmeanatripbacktoTheShade,Iwasdeterminedtohelpherfindaway.
ShiversrandownmyspinejustthinkingaboutreunitingwithDerekNovak,myswornenemy.Andnow,myownblood.IwonderediftheNovakswerestillunawareaboutbeingrelatedtotheNovalics.
AsIthoughtaboutthetwoundertakings,itwasamatterofdecidingwhichtodofirst.
Monareachedupandplacedasoftkissonmyjaw.“Youdon’thavetomakeadecisionrightnow,”shewhispered,turning
aroundandplacingherarmsaroundmyneck.“Wecanallowourselvesafewhours,Ithink…”
“You’reright,”Isaid,pressingmylipsagainstherforehead.Shetookastepbackfrommeandhikeduphergown,revealingherlong
tonedlegs.Ifrowned.
“Hm?”Shepointedtoherrightthigh.Herblackrosehaddisappeared.Shereachedformyhandandpressedmypalmagainstthespotwherethe
markhadbeen.“ItmeansI’myoursnow,Kiev.”
K
E P I L O G U E : M ON A
ievandmystorywouldneverbeaperfect“happyeverafter”liketheoneI’dgivenmyfictionalcharacters.
Wewerebothtoobroken.Ourpastsweretootumultuous.Betweenus,we’ddestroyedtoomanylives.
Iknewwe’dgrateoneachother’snerves.Ourtemperswouldclash.We’dfight.
Butthiswasoneoftheveryreasonsthatwecouldn’tlivewithouteachother.Wecouldlivewithoutfearofbringingoneanothertoruin,becausewewere
bothalreadyrubble.KievwasabletofulfillmeinwaysthatIknewnootherpersonevercould.
AndIdaredbelievethathefeltthesameaboutme.Hewasmymirror,asIwashis.AndIhadfaiththatslowly,we’dhelpeachotherheal.Itwouldbeapainful
ride,butIbelievedthatwe’dgetthere.ThisstorymightnoteverbelikeAdrianandIrina’s.Butitwasourstory.And,asKievclaimedmylipswhilewesailedtowardthesunset,thatwasall
thatmattered.
DearShaddict,ThisistheendofKiev’sstand-alonetrilogy.I’velovedexploringhischaracter,andIreallyhopeyouhavetoo!Kiev’sstorywillnowweavebackintotheAShadeofVampireseries,where
hisjourneyoriginallybegan.:)YouwillmeethimagaininAShadeofVampire9—youcanclickhereto
grabitfromAmazon.(However,ifyouhaven’treadanyofmyAShadeofVampireseriesyet,I
suggestyoustartwithBook1:Clickhere)Love,Bellax
O TH E R B O O K S B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T
ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIESAShadeofVampire(Book1)AShadeofBlood(Book2)ACastleofSand(Book3)AShadowofLight(Book4)ABlazeofSun(Book5)AGateofNight(Book6)ABreakofDay(Book7)AShadeofNovak(Book8)AShadeofVampire9
ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGYAShadeofKiev1AShadeofKiev2AShadeofKiev3
BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY
BeautifulMonster1BeautifulMonster2
ForanupdatedlistofBella’sbooks,pleasevisitherwebsite:www.bellaforrest.net
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