I paused. “Everywhere?”
She shrugged. “Except the Hollow. That’s the only place I’ve been allowed to show my face.”
My eyebrows lifted. “Let me guess. To protect the mission.”
Her silence said everything. Fallon and I had lived separate lives. But really, had we? While I lived openly, I was always held back, always concealed. My survival depended on blending in, following the rules without room for error. No safety net. No one to catch me if I fell.
When I first learned I had a twin, I imagined Fallon’s life was the opposite of mine—loving parents, a safe home where she could be herself and thrive. I was certain I was the one without a father, and she the one who had him.
But that meant nothing.
Arrow Fitzroy kept her hidden from the world. He didn’t abandon her, but he controlled her just the same. Concealed. What punishment awaited if she slipped, if her identity was revealed to the wrong person?
Did her survival depend on obeying his rules? Was she, too, a player in a game with her hands tied?
Were we both puppets strung along for the sake of some mission?
“Come on. Let’s suit up,” Fallon said, bumping my shoulder hard as she strode past.
Chapter 24
I may have slipped one mask off, but I also slipped an invisible one on. Walking around in public—anywhere but the Hollow—without my face concealed felt invigorating. My shoulders straightened, my chin lifted, and my fuck-off attitude blasted on full volume.
It. Felt. Amazing.
But I wouldn’t let Scarlet, or anyone, see that. Not this moment of weakness. Not the crack in my armor that proved I was still human. Still wanting. Still dreaming.
No. No one would ever know that.
We had one night in the Glade before infiltrating Mageia. The mission depended on finding the Mareki’s Key, and I prayed to the elements we could do it without getting caught. Over the years, slipping into the castle undetected had been easy. But now, with four of us and two dragons circling overhead, it was going to be a hell of a lot harder.
But we had to do it.
Scarlet trailed close as I cut through hidden walkways I’d memorized since the day I first set foot here. No matter where I went, I instinctively tracked my escape routes. I didn’t even bother scolding her for sipping coffee on a literal war mission.
Look at that spark of kindness in me. Maybe she was softening me up. Or maybe I was just jealous she had someone who put her first—even if it was just for a silly cup of coffee.
Maybe I should stop short and let her run into me—spill it everywhere.
The thought lingered, but we’d reached the Glade’s leathery. I flung the door open, hoping to catch her on the way in. The smell of freshly tanned leather wrapped around me, reminding me I’d be in battle gear soon enough.
Scarlet stepped inside, coffee in hand, taking in the space where all the Glade’s armor was crafted.
Nash and Rhodes emerged from the back, already dressed head-to-toe in leathers. Rhodes handed Scarlet a set while I gave Nash a slow once-over.
I whistled. “Elements. If I were into you, those leathers would be ripped right off by now.”
Nash winked, flashing a dimple. “Don’t lie to yourself, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart? Of all pet names, that’s what you pick for her?” Rhodes teased.
I spun toward him and flipped him the middle finger.
“That’s exactly how I’ll stand out among all the others begging at her feet. Ain’t that right, sweetheart?” Nash flicked my ear as he exited.
I headed to the back room to change just as I heard Scarlet ask Rhodes, “So this is where those leathers you gave me came from?”
In all my visits to the Shadow Glade, I’d never been granted access to their war room. I was always expected to stand silently on the sidelines, completing whatever tasks Father assigned me, avoiding conversation with anyone in authority.
