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

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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.”

I

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.”

I

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.

A

CH A P T E R 7 : M ON A

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.

I

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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CH A P T E R 9 : M ON A

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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CH A P T E R 1 0 : K I E V

’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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CH A P T E R 1 1 : M ON A

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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CH A P T E R 1 2 : M ON A

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.

W

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.

E

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.

I

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?”

I

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.’”

N

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.

I

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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CH A P T E R 2 8 : K I E V

’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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CH A P T E R 2 9 : M ON A

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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CH A P T E R 3 0 : K I E V

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

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