Melanie

Every time he left, it was hard.

It was harder now.

The guards at the gate weren’t enough to dim my fear. The location of the safe room wasn’t enough either. Gilbert’s dead body was forever ingrained in my mind. His pretentious voice still echoed in the hallways. His soul was probably still here, doing things for Fender without anyone knowing.

But Fender would return in the same condition as when he left.

And this time, my sister would come with him.

Gilbert knocked on the bedroom door before he poked his head inside. “Mademoiselle, you have visitors.”

I gave him a blank stare because no one ever came to visit me. “Who?”

“Magnus and Raven.”

I was on my feet instantly, eyes wide, excitement in my blood. “I’ll…I’ll be right down.” I grabbed my heels and slipped them on before I fixed my hair in the mirror. Then I took the stairs, holding on to the rail so I wouldn’t trip, and hurried to the parlor.

She was there—beside Magnus.

The work clothes were gone, replaced with a nice sundress with her hair done, looking just the way I remembered during the good times. I sat on the couch beside her, looking at her with the same deep look that she gave me.

She was free.

The stare continued. She gave me a slight smile, showing that same loving affection with her eyes that she always gave me—even when I was a pain in the ass.

My arms wrapped around her, and I embraced her for a long time, knowing that this journey was finally over. Neither one of us had to return to the camp. It was terrible that it lived on, but at least we’d escaped its clutches.

She pulled away and looked me over.

I looked at her, disagreeing with Fender so deeply. He spoke of my sister like she was unremarkable, but to me, she was the most exceptional woman who ever lived. I’d do anything to be more like her. “You look nice…”

A bit of disbelief moved into her gaze, but there was still a hint of gratitude that I’d said it. “Never as nice as you.”

I shook my head slightly because I didn’t believe that. Magnus didn’t either, obviously. “Could you give us a moment?”

Magnus immediately rose to his feet to excuse himself.

Raven grabbed his wrist and tugged him back down. “I’m just going to tell him everything we say, so there’s no point.”

Magnus cooperated with the motions, taking his seat beside her once again, his arms on his knees, his eyes on the paintings on the wall. He had the same characteristics as his brother, the same physical mannerisms, but he wasn’t quite so cold.