I walked the torch-lit corridor,my mind numb, and the world far away.
I’d gone to great lengths to purge the memories of that night from my dreams. I’d sat through session after session of therapy, telling every detail I recalled. Every time they’d say to me I needed more treatment. Nightfall had been an escape. A wayto do something about what happened, instead of sitting there delving into my mind and pulling up useless details.
Or so I thought.
Now I saw it for what it was—a trap.
By chasing the dream of solving my mom’s murder, clearing her name of irreputable affiliations, and finding answers to my missing year, I was running straight toward what I was trying to avoid—facing the possibility that I was what was blocking the memories that might answer these questions.
A sharp whistle sounded. I jerked my head to the side.
My eyes narrowed into slits.
Malakai.
He was leaning against a column, one leg casually bent, his foot resting against the marble. He wore a loose-fitting blazer that was longer than his fitted undershirt, the sleeves rolled to the elbow. A mischievous look spread across his face.
“That stuff is not going to work.”
This guy.
“How do you know?”
“Tried them,” he shrugged.
He pushed off the column and sauntered over to me. I didn’t move, fortifying my mind and presence, determined to stand my ground.
The image of him with Skylar flashed through my mind like an arrow. Another shot sent a pang through my heart, but I held my tongue.
“I’ll take my chances,” I said and started down the corridor again.
“Heard an interesting rumor about you today,” he called after me.
I stopped.
“Knew it was false, though,” he taunted. “Not with such virgin lips.”
My nails cut into my palms as I tried to quell my rising blood pressure.
The soft echoes of his footfalls sounded behind me, the shadows flickering across the floor as if in rhythm with his movement.
“I can fix that,” he murmured, stopping behind me. “Perhaps put an end to these rumors.”
I spun around, my fist ready to connect with his jaw, but he caught it firmly in his hand.
I took heavy, deep gasps as I watched his mischievous smirk deepen.
“I knew it was you,” I uttered. “But how did you know about the Aurkai room?”
He chuckled, and his smirk deepened.
“Blake and I are like brothers,” he said innocently. “He tells me everything. You are a dirty little secret, are you not?”
“He wouldn’t,” I murmured.
He chuckled and I freed my fist from his grasp and took a step back.
“You are so innocent and completely ignorant,” he mused.
