“Mara.” Lila’s voice is gentle now. Almost kind. “You know he cares about you. This bond… It’s not just some sort of obligation. I can see it. Anyone can.”
“Stop.” The word comes out harsh. “Please. Don’t tell me what he feels. I can’t—” My voice cracks. “I can’t make this decision based on what I think he might feel. Or what you think you see. I need to make it based on what’s right.”
“And what’s right?” Elena asks softly.
“Not being someone’s afterthought.” I wrap my arms around myself. “Not being the girl he saved because he couldn’t save the one he really wanted. Not being—” I stop yet again. Can’t finish.
Not being enough.
Silence falls.
Then Elena nods. Steps forward. Pulls me into another hug. “Okay. Tomorrow afternoon. We’ll come get you.”
I hug her back. Breathe in the familiar scent of my best friend and try not to think about what I just agreed to.
They turn to leave.
“Lennie,” I call out.
She stops. Turns back.
“Does it hurt?” I ask. “Breaking the bond?”
Her eyes soften. “Physically? No. But you might feel… disconnected for a while. Like losing your sense of direction. Or like walking after your foot’s been asleep.”
“So yes. It hurts.”
“In a way.” She pauses. “But healing often does.”
They disappear through the door.
I’m alone again with the darkening mountains and the decision I just made.
And the bond—stretched thin by Kael’s absence, pulling at something behind my ribs—that might not exist come morning.
I should feel relieved.
Instead, I feel like I just agreed to amputate something vital.
I pull out my phone. Stare at the screen.
The old Mara, the Mara from two months ago, would’ve been TikTokking the hell out of this story right now. But the old Mara went down in that chopper, and now she’s changed.
So instead, I pull up my messages and scroll to Elena’s name. Our last conversation from before the helicopter. Before everything.
Elena: Please tell me you’re not live-streaming the battle site
Me: I’m not live-streaming the battle site
Me: (I’m totally live-streaming the battle site)
Elena: MARA
Me: RELAX, it’s unlisted
Me: Also, I think your boyfriend’s cousin ate someone
Me: Nvm that’s normal apparently??
