I’m not sure I believe those words the moment they leave my mouth.
Jax’s gaze burns bright. “Stop fooling yourself, Phoenix! He’s dangerous, and the only thing he cares about is power. Did you hear anything I just said about him and his family? Does any of it matter, or are you so fucking blinded by all the lies he feeds you that you can’t see the truth?”
I cross my arms. “You’re not one to lecture on lies.”
Jax looks ready to give up.
“I don’t believe a word coming out of your filthy mouth,” Vera snaps. “You’re a thief and a liar. And the worst of all, a fucking murderer. A psychotic one!”
Jax flinches at that and takes a step back. His face drops, full of pain. Vera relishes the damage her words do—it’s written on her face.
“What?” I look between them. “What the fuck does that mean, Vera?”
Jax opens his mouth, but no words come out.
“Oh,Jaxy, don’t hold back now,” Vera coos sweetly. “I know all about the real reason your own father banished you from Emera and why you ended up here. You know what he did, Phoenix? Our precious Jax set a whole damn building on fire, with people inside that he knew about, and he watched them burn to the ash. If you ask me, I think the spirits of the gods should have drowned you in the sea on your way from Emera to Ekios.”
I can’t believe that.
“It’s not?—”
Jax doesn’t get to finish the sentence, because Vera cuts him off. “Oh, let me guess—it’s not how it looks? Sure.”
“You know, this is exactly what the Talbots want. They want you distracted. Daegel wants us divided so he can win more easily. Don’t you understand that? That family are damn sociopaths.”
“Get out,” Vera spits. “Get out of my damn house and don’t you dare come back here. Noire knows about you. If he catches you, you’ll be executed for your crimes. And if you get lucky, I hope the Talbots hunt you down for failing your orders and punish you in the most savage ways of Caligos. Spirits of the gods know you don’t deserve a clean death.”
Each word from Vera’s lips is like a blade, laced with poison, and they slice through Jax with no mercy. His shoulders slump. He knows there is no way back from here.
We’re over.
Quietly, he makes his way to the door and leaves. I must admit, my heart bleeds for him.
I don’t want any of it to be the truth.
I don’t want him to go.
But…the sting from his betrayal prevents me from saying anything.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
PHOENIX
That night, I scarcely sleep. Not only because of the dull ache in my thigh, but also because of the dark, bottomless pit in my chest.
I toss and turn, my mind running a thousand miles an hour, replaying the conversation with Vera and Jax, my body wired from the fight with Caligos.
Jax stood there, beside me, and fought nails and teeth. He knew damn well it was a gamble for us to remain behind so Vera could escape. Yet when I asked, he remained with me.
It didn’t look like Caligos went easy on him. I don’t think any of them knew who he was.
So could that same man be the one who assassinated Kitajo? Who set the whole building on fire and watched it turn to ash?
With a sigh, I roll over and look through the window. Behind the tall mountains looming in the distance, sunrise is fast approaching.
When the first rays of early-morning sun breach the sky, I rise. No point in trying to get more sleep. So, I wash my face,untangle my hair before braiding it, which I rarely ever do, and dress.
I’m surprised to find Vera already by the dining table, a steaming cup of tea between her palms, when I make my way downstairs.
