1
ELODIE
The world stills as those two words cascade over me like an unrelenting waterfall, stealing my breath under its intense pressure.
Little brother.
If the man before me realizes the sharpness of his tongue, he doesn’t show it. His wicked grin doesn’t move an inch as he turns back to me, stuffing his hands in his pockets as I glance between the two of them, searching for any glaringly obvious resemblance. I can barely see a thing through the unshed tears gathering in the corners of my eyes, the pain radiating through my limbs growing stronger with every short inhale.
My eyelids fall closed, tightening with every second before I force myself to pry them open again. Despite my hopes, the two of them remain before me, side by side, hovering above like the sharp blade of a guillotine, ready to claim my head.
Kael and the rebellion.
Not just any rebellion, the one led by his brother.
“You had me worried there. I thought you were going to let me down, little brother.”
A chill runs down my spine as his words replay in my mind, sharp and vicious over the thunder of my pulse quivering in myears. Blinking back the unshed tears from my slouched position, limp against the wall, I narrow my eyes on the vampire I trusted.
He can’t look at me, let alone meet my stare. I wouldn’t be able to either with the guilt that I hope is clawing at his insides right now.
Kael’s brother sighs, rocking back on his feet as he folds his arms over his chest. “I’m disappointed you allowed her to get in such a state, little brother. She’s precious cargo,” he states, tilting his head at me, and my nostrils flare in anger.
Kael runs his tongue over his lip, still ignoring my presence as blood starts to pool at my sides, seeping from the holes that Willow left me with when she decided to pierce me with her overgrown talons.
“Anya’s daughter took a swipe at her,” Kael mutters, mentioning the bitch as if he could sense my thoughts, and it makes me hate him more.
More?
I didn’t think I hated him to begin with.
Not really.
Not in the very first moment we met when he grabbed my wrist and stopped me from banging on the glass, screaming to escape.
Not when he lured me in with his aura in the bathroom stalls and fucked me with the underlying belief that I was going to die.
Not when he shocked the hell out of me and agreed to be my guardian to keep himself alive.
Not even when he locked me in the broom closet at Institute Thirteen, leaving me to rock in darkness and fear.
I didn’t hate him any of those times, or the million more that followed, but I do now, with everything that I am.
I hate him.
“I’m even more disappointed that you didn’t put yourself in the way of those mangey claws. Didn’t our parents teach youanything at all?” The rebellion leader grunts, glaring at Kael, who sighs, his gaze fixed on his boots as he refuses to lift his head.
As his grumbles pull me from my thoughts, the blaze of pain burning through my body reignites, and no matter how much I try to catch my breath, it only intensifies, leaving me to hiss with every short and sharp inhale. My vision blurs, my head falling back against the wall behind me with athudas my mind recalls the moments leading up to this one, desperately trying to make sense of it all, but it’s futile. As much as I try to place the pieces of the jigsaw together, the parts don’t seem to fit.
The Institute Games. The bloodbound trial: bound by blood, sentenced to insanity, and destined to expose the insecurities that claw at their minds. Brenna was insane; Willow, even worse, which is why Kael insisted on carrying me to safety—but what he deems as refuge and what I categorically know is salvation are two very different things.
“Do you want me to take care of that, Little Weapon?” I wince away from the rebel as he crouches before me, extending a crooked finger. He snickers, but the storm in his eyes tells a different story. “Come now, don’t be like that.”
“Who the fuck are you?” I croak, my voice not as strong as I had hoped. Not even close. If anything, I sound groggy and weak. It may not give me the strength to face this asshole, but it’s enough to make Kael’s gaze snap to mine.
I don’t get to glare for long before a finger is pressed against my lips and an unwanted face is up close. “Don’t use that vulgar language with me.” Every word is a warning, darker than the last, as Jude stares deep into my soul.
He stands tall a moment later, shaking his blazer out as he straightens himself, while I still try to breathe through the thick and dangerous air that lingers between us. When his menacingsmile turns my way, I gulp, not a single ounce of humor to be found at the action.
