Knox’s sudden change of camp by siding with Victor. Victor’s unwavering commitment to finish a fight with James that had begun months ago. Ever remained silent throughout the entire exchange, having already shown that she was not on James’s side. The fact James couldn’t even count on her was my tipping point. I would not abandon him. I slipped my hand into his.

“I don’t know why you’re all against this. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Every single one of you knew I’d planned to return to Judaculla. What does it matter if I go a few days early?”

“If you’ll excuse us,” James said, trying to move beyond the wall of people standing in our way.

Ever finally spoke up. “Tell her.”

James glared at her in response.

“What’s she talking about?” I asked.

“Nothing,” James said. “Just Ever being Ever.”

“You tell her, or I will,” Ever said in a surprisingly calm voice.

“Don’t listen to her,” James said. “You were right about her. She’s jealous. She’s been after me since Cole died.”

Ever lunged at James, but she was easily restrained by Knox. “That’s a little below the belt, don’t you think?” Knox asked.

James ignored his question, turning toward me. “They don’t know her like I do. They don’t know what she’s capable of. She lied to you,” James said. “She told you the Elders made me forget about you. But that’s not what happened. Is it, Ever?”

She stared at him, betrayal in her expression. “You asked me to help. You begged me to take away your memories.”

I’d suspected as much, but I never thought she’d admit it. I felt white-hot anger building inside me as I turned on her.

“Ever,” I said. “How could you have done that?”

But I didn’t need her explanation. Not when the answer was right there in front of me. She was in love with James and always had been. When James returned to Judaculla, Ever found her chance to be with him. Only he didn’t want her. She had to make him forget me first, so she could have him for herself.

If I needed any further confirmation, Knox had already given it to me. He’d said the Elders would never have allowed James or anyone to forget their mate. They’d never miss the opportunity to cause a traitor to suffer. There was no way they would have done something as merciful as deleting James’s memories of us. They would have used that pain to their advantage.

I knew it was wrong, but I found myself wishing Ever had died the night I returned to Woodvine. I could never forgive her for whatever she had done to make James forget about me. Ever was the reason that everything had gone wrong between us since his return to Judaculla.