Ever’s words were a small comfort, her promise meaningless. She was the reason we were separated. Her deal with the Fringers only served to confirm my suspicions about her affections for James. I’d known as much all along. Ever did love James. Her next words hit home, stopping the fury building inside of me.

“I’d die for him, Leath.”

For once, I believed Ever was telling the truth.

“Those men back there,” she nodded at the path, “they’re coming to kill us.”

I started to argue, but she cut me off.

“Listen to me. My death wouldn’t bring James’s end. But if you died, it would kill him. If you still need a reason to leave Judaculla, do it to keep James alive.”

“They’re over here,” a man shouted.

Ever locked eyes with mine. “I will keep him safe,” she repeated. For a moment, I allowed myself to believe her. That was how desperate I was. The girl who had been a thorn in my side was now my only hope.

She took a deep breath and shoved me hard.

I tumbled through the veil, returning with a thud to my world. The book flew out of my hands, landing somewhere on the ground.

“I’ve got one,” yelled a man.

The edges of the veil shimmered as the portal began to close. I watched a man twice Ever’s size descend on her, grabbing a handful of her flowing blonde hair. Unfazed by the pain she must be feeling, Ever turned and landed a kick to the man’s groin, dropping him to the ground. She didn’t hesitate before kicking the man again, this time in the head, knocking him unconscious.

Two more men emerged from the woods, each almost twice the size of the first attacker. The veil stretched before closing to the size of a walnut just as the crack of a bullet rang through the air.

“Ever,” I screamed, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hear me.

My gun.

Ever had it, and she had just used it to shoot one of the men. I knew it was wrong, but I hoped her aim had been true.

But there were still two left, I reminded myself. I had only heard one shot.

A scream pierced the night. It was the same one I heard at The House when Zander had raised his knife to James. There was a faint pop as the veil snapped shut.

Ever.

She’d been on my side all along. This was the second time she’d come forward to give me a way to escape. I scrambled to my feet, racing to where the veil had been. I waved my arms, frantically trying to reopen the portal. A familiar voice caused me to freeze as still as the stone behind me.

“What are you doing out here, love?”

12

Discovered