Finn was one of the most descriptive people she knew. Direct, and his words never held a second meaning.
A slow, mocking smile curved his lips, one that didn’t belong to Finn. “I knew you wouldn’t resist getting me alone. It’s so like you to act first and think later, especially when it involves someone you love.”
A chill slid down Bridget’s spine. Before she could scream, Finn surged his hand into Bridget’s side, piercing his fingers into the cut still festering from Cassia’s blood spell. The pressure wasn’t just physical, it was like a dark pulse of power twisted beneath her skin. A sinister echo of the magic Vega wielded.
Burning fire radiated through every vein in her body, until it consumed her completely.
When Bridget opened her eyes, she couldn’t feel her body. In fact, she felt like a floating head, watching a televised version of her life. An invisible wall she couldn’t break through seemed to separate her and the real world. She tried to scream as she felt herself sit up and brush the dirt and snow from her hair.
No one may be able to hear you scream,a voice purred inside her head, smooth and bitter,but I still can. So if you could keep it down…
The sound of her voice split something deep inside Bridget. It had been so long since she’dreallyheard her. Not the haunting fragments in dreams, her the full presence.
And even now, some hollow, broken part of her heart ached with familiarity.
She hated it. She hated that a part of her always missed her sister.
But she also had another one to protect.
Where’s Nylah?I’ll do whatever you want. Just let the others find her.
Vega ignored her. Bridget’s body didn’t freeze or tremble with the words she’d shouted internally, like she wanted. Instead, it moved easily,confidently, like itbelongedto Vega. The disconnect was nauseating. She couldn’t even clench her fists.
A shuffle came from her right. Her head—Vega’shead—turned toward it, eyes landing on a young soldier jogging up the slope toward her. His breath came in fast puffs, concern etched between his brows.
“Are you alright?” he asked, eyes darting to the snow she’d collapsed in seconds ago. “I saw you fall over.”
Run,Bridget begged him, voice useless in her own skull.Get away from me.
But her mouth curved upward in a soft, reassuring smile. “I came over to talk to him, but he’d already fallen asleep,” Bridget heard herself say. “Then I tripped over one of the roots.”
Bridget screamednoinside her skull, powerless to stop the flick of her lashes or the softness in her tone as Vega—in her skin—tilted her head just so.
The soldier blinked. His shoulders eased a fraction. Concern softened into something else… something Bridget recognized instantly...
He was charmed. And completely oblivious.
Nausea curled in her gut.
But her body stood steady, chin lifted in the twilight.
“You sure?” the soldier asked, eyes darting from her face down to the hem of her cloak, where snow clung to the edges. “You scared the hell out of me for a second.”
“Truly,” Vega replied smoothly, voice laced with sincerity. “Thank you for checking.”
Bridget wanted to shake him. But all she could do was watch as the guard gave her a crooked smile.
“You should head inside,” he said, gesturing back toward the crumbling tavern. “The fire’s going and—”
His voice cut off, his gaze catching on something behind her.
Bridget’s body turned slowly. Vega’s composure didn’t crack, but Bridget’s panic spiked the moment she saw what the guard was staring at.
Finn.
He was still slumped against the tree, tied up as they’d left him. But now, a thin stream of blood trickled from his nose, painting a crimson line down the corner of his mouth. Unconscious, his head lolled slightly.
The soldier took a half-step forward. “Is he okay?”
