Peri’s laugh held an edge of bitterness. “First, the Great Luna, now you. So quick to absolve me of my sins.”
“I do not claim you blameless or your hurts imaginary,” Lucian countered. “But tormenting yourself changes nothing. You must find a way to make peace with your past.”
Make peace. As though it could be so simple. But perhaps she had been making it harder than necessary. Looking into Lucian’s earnest eyes, Peri’s defensive anger thawed. Her mate only wanted to ease her pain, not discount it. With a heavy sigh, she leaned into him, resting her head on his broad shoulder. His strong arms came around her, surrounding her with their steadying, reassuring presence.
They sat that way in pensive silence as the fire slowly died to glowing embers. Peri felt hollowed out, weary to her very bones, but also lighter somehow, having finally given voice to her deepest torments.
Lucian’s hand stroked soothingly over her hair. “You do not have to carry this alone any longer. I am with you, now and always.”
Though she knew dark times still lay ahead, Peri allowed herself to take comfort in his words, in his strength. For the first time in forever, a tiny spark of hope pierced the shadows veiling her heart. Perhaps she could find a way forward after all, with her mate beside her.
“And don’t think I’m going to let you get out of talking to Jacque, Jen, and Sally about this,” Lucian rumbled. “They deserve to know, and you need the support system.”
Peri huffed. “For a moment there, I almost forgot you were an annoying wolf.”
* * *
Sally’s gaze sharpened again,focusing intently on Alice. “As Peri said, Cain has no power over you, not truly. When you’re ready, you can break his hold. But you must recognize you have free will. It’s your choice to stay or return to the land of the living.”
Alice’s throat felt tight. She could only nod jerkily.
“You also must accept that you are not Cain’s true mate,” Sally told her. “Your mate is still out there, and he will move mountains to find you.”
Alice’s mind shied away from thinking about mates. That was too much for now. Instead, she clung to Sally’s words, letting them sink in.I’m strong enough. I can break Cain’s hold.
She turned those declarations over like smooth stones, taking comfort from their weight. When she looked at Sally again, Alice’s voice was steady.
“I’m ready to wake up. To face whatever’s real, however difficult it is.” She reached for Sally’s hand. “Will you help me?”
Sally gave her a proud smile. “Absolutely.”
The power grew between them. Alice’s entire being resonated with it, vibrating at the same frequency.
“Focus, Alice,” Sally coached. “Picture yourself opening your eyes. Your real eyes.”
Alice concentrated, imagining her consciousness rising through endless dark water. It wasn’t long until she was close to the surface. She just had to break through. With a gasp, her eyes flew open. She was lying in an infirmary room, harsh fluorescent lights glaring down at her. Blinking, Alice slowly sat up. Her senses were oddly heightened, the hard details jumping out at her. She could hear voices in distant rooms and smell antiseptic and illness underlying the scrubbed-clean scent.
Sally was nowhere to be seen. Had it all been another dream? Maybe this one had been conjured by herself and not Cain’s mind voodoo? Before Alice could get her bearings, the door swung open. She turned to see Cain striding toward her, concern pulling down his eyebrows.
“You’re awake.” The tone of his voice didn’t suggest relief at this revelation. “What happened?” He reached to touch her face.
Alice recoiled sharply. Reality crashed over her.Thiswas no dream. She was still trapped in Area 51 under Cain’s power. But at least she wasn’t living out a lie in her mind.
“Get away from me,” she gritted out, her voice shaking with barely leashed rage.
Cain froze, confusion swirling in his grey eyes. “Alice? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know. I was visited by a healer and a high fae while I was sleeping. No, not sleeping. I was in whatever stupor you put me under. And I saw you there, so I know you know.” Alice’s voice was strong. “And stop pretending you actually care.” She slid off the opposite side of the bed, putting it between them. She only wavered a little on her shaking legs before clutching the bed for support. Alice was thankful someone had put a robe over her hospital gown. Her limbs shook, but she locked her knees in hopes she wouldn’t crash to the ground. Then she glared at him. “I know what you’ve done to me. Keeping me unconscious, invading my mind. It ends now.” She pointed at him and wished she had some ability to fling magic at him or something. She wanted to hurt him because everything he’d made her feel… It had all been fake.
Cain’s mouth thinned. He glanced at the door as if gauging the odds of forcing her compliance.
Alice jutted her chin in defiance. She was finished being his puppet. Perhaps Cain read the determination in her eyes. Something like regret flashed across his face before his expression shuddered.
“If you truly wish to leave, I won’t stop you.” His smile was cold. “But you don’t know the whole truth yet, Alice. Be very sure before you throw away everything we’ve built. And don’t forget that Lizzy and Finn aren’t going anywhere.”
He turned and stalked from the room without a backward glance.
Alice sagged against the bed as the door slammed shut. Her breath came in ragged gasps. That small defiance had taken every scrap of her strength, but she’d done it. She’d stood up to Cain even though there was still a part of her that craved him. “You have got to get out more,” she muttered under her breath. “Meet some normal people and do normal things.”
