“I want nothing to do with your boyfriend,” Audrey said. “He’s the one who wants something from me.”
Maren’s aura snapped like a whip. “Does he? Because you should have kept digging. Enough to see how worthless you are to him. He lies. You feel it.”
The words struck clean through Audrey’s ribs.
Worthless.
Whore.
A liar’s pawn.
If Ryker believed she was worthless, would he still go after Cary?
Emerson had promised things, too. Alex had lied just as easily. Audrey wasn’t naïve enough to believe promises anymore.
Before she could stop herself, Audrey reached again for Maren’s mind.
But Maren struck first, shoving Audrey hard in the chest. “You think you’re powerful?” Maren snarled. “I completed Conscription. I watched women stronger than you burn alive for less. And you think you can walk in here and take what we earned?”
A rushing sound filled Audrey’s ears.
Maren didn’t move like the others. The other women fought to survive, but Maren fought like someone who already had. Everything hovered, trembling with the force of her power. Every object around them—rocks, shards of metal, tools—rose into a violent orbit.
“Is this supposed to impress me?” Audrey asked, though fear tightened her throat.
“I don’t need to impress you,” Maren whispered. “I need to end you.”
She twisted her fingers. The objects sharpened in their descent.
Audrey reached for control. For restraint. For the careful, measured approach Kat kept demanding.
Nothing happened.
Then something inside her snapped.
Enough.
She seized Maren’s body with her aura in a rough clench.
Maren screamed and collapsed to her knees. The floating debris crashed down around them.
Audrey tightened her hold, silencing Maren’s mouth, bending her spine straight. Maren’s terror flooded the space between them, and Audrey understood exactly how to control it.
The realization chilled her.
This was easy.
It was as if the power had been waiting for her to stop pretending she didn’t want it. Audrey inhaled. While she hated herself a little more, the silent pleas were exquisite.
After savoring it a moment longer, she released the pressure slowly, deliberately.
“Today’s behavior aside,” Audrey murmured, “I’m letting you live. Because I respect what you survived.” She crouched, watching Maren’s tears spill onto the gravel. “Someday, I’ll collect a favor. Remember this moment of mercy. Nod if you understand.”
Maren trembled, barely moving her chin. For a split second, a look of respect flashed in the woman’s eyes.
Audrey smiled. Then she kicked Maren aside—just enough to remind her who was standing.
“My Voírían isn’t perfect, but I think we finally understand each other.” Audrey leaned down, her voice soft and lethal. “If you ever threaten me again, I will tear your psyche apart until the light leaves your eyes.”
