The urge to find him, to kill him, is nearly overwhelming. I grip Nessa's shoulders tighter, trying to anchor myself to her rather than the murderous fury burning through my veins.

"He took you," I say, the realization dawning. “Come on. Not here,” I take her hand and lead her from the courtyard and the gathering crowd watching us.

There’s an explosion of whispered gossip and glances our way, but none are foolish enough to try to follow.

I take Nessa carefully and lead her from the courtyard, eyes alert as I scan every shadow for danger. Through our tether, I send her every ounce of reassurance I can muster. I'll protect you. Whatever Lorkan and Milena Grace are planning, they'll have to go through me to get to you.

But beneath these thoughts, a subtle doubt takes root. Nessa was with him. She came back unharmed. What did he tell her? What did he show her?

I know our family history. I know what my ancestors did to the unbound, but it’s part of why I tried so hard to protect Nessa once I found out what she was. To break the cycle. To change things.

But what if he poisoned her against me? Implied I was just like them? Could I even blame her if those words sank deep, shaking her ability to trust me?

We don’t speak as I bring her back to her room and lay her in bed. She’s covered in blood, but none of it seems to be hers. She doesn’t need healing. She needs sleep.

I brush the hair from her forehead as her eyes flutter closed. She’s completely exhausted. Drained beyond all reason.

And maybe that’s why her final thought slips through the tether to me. But the words I hear aren’t her voice. They’re from Rector Voss.

“You’ve done me a favor I cannot begin to repay. For this, I’ll allow you to see for yourself that the Aurenciels cannot be trusted—that their hatred of our kind runs through their very blood. So you may return to Confluence. You may go back to Raith. And when you’ve seen him for who he truly is, we will be waiting for you. Ready for you to join us.”

The blood drains from my face as I study her sleeping form.

I didn’t understand how she survived an encounter with Lorkan and Milena Grace. Now I do. I know exactly why.

They’ve shaped Nessa into a dagger and aimed her directly for my fucking heart.

-The End

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, my deepest gratitude goes to “B.” You’re my unwavering foundation. This book wouldn’t be possible without your patience as I disappeared into this new fantasy world. This story exists because you do.