What did they want with me? Is this why my mom was murdered? For my everi?
Fierce sobs escaped into the still room as the thunder boomed outside. I was trapped here, forced to face the worst demon of all—myself.
What did everyone know about me that I didn’t know myself? My existence was my worst nightmare.
“You sound terrible when you cry.”
A bolt of shock pierced my chest.
I looked up, recognizing Melanie’s sharp tone.
All I could do was stare.
She was the last person I expected to see here.
“Get up,” she snapped. “We do not have much time.”
When I didn’t move, she growled in irritation and grabbed my arm and jerked painfully. I rose before jerking my arm free.
“What do you want?” I snapped.
She threw me a menacing glare. “I am here to get you out of Nightfall. Now come with me.”
“Why in the hell would I trust you?”
Melanie shook her head. “You know, you do not have any other choice.”
I stared at the open door and my temper calmed.
“And what happened to you?” she asked, looking me up and down. “You look and smell terrible. Is that all your blood?”
I ignored her and bolted to the door, but she grabbed my collar, effectively halting me.
“Stick with me unless you want to die,” she hissed.
I shook her off.
“Fine!” I said. “But tell me why you are helping me?”
Melanie looked away and took the lead. “It currently serves my interests.”
I followed her, eyeing her skeptically, but I knew she wasn’t going to elaborate.
“Melanie, wait,” I said. “We have to get Blake. He is still here somewhere. Ezreal took him.”
“I know,” she said. “There is no way to get him out, Anna. He is the one who sent me to get you.”
Her words hit like a gut punch.
“I’m not leaving without him,” I said. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you will,” she said. “Because they are not going to kill Blake, but they will kill you.”
I gasped and took a step back. “I don’t understand. What is happening?”
“I am not entirely sure,” Melanie said, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard. “So far, I have faked my way out of a lot of trouble, but I am ready to get out of here. If you are coming with me, we need to go now, and you need to do everything that I say.”
I swallowed. “What about Isabella? She was with Blake.”
