Bridget
Smog swirled in the air as Vega paced around the two thrones of Cavamyne, the heels of her boots ticking like a clock against cracked stone. Torches and moonlight gave an eerie glow to the ceremonial courtyard that was hollowed by time and half-swallowed by vines. With each passing moment, Bridget had slowly begun to feel the burning of her muscles. The squeeze of her chest. The piercing iron claw around her mind as her sister’s control wavered. She’d been under the influence of magic too long. If Vega didn’t let go soon, her heart would stop.
As Vega circled again, Bridget fought to find any sliver of muscle she might be able to move on her own. But her body remained trapped behind the force of Vega’s will. Her own thoughts sounded distant, like echoes bouncing off glass. She wondered if Vega was purposefully trying to tune her out.
When she saw the body lying motionless across the courtyard floor, she nearly shattered.
Nylah.
She was curled at the base of the flat altar stone, arms limp and dark hair a tangle of shadow across her cheek. From this distance, Bridget couldn’t see her chest move.
Can you please just go check to see if she’s breathing?Bridget begged, hoping Vega felt the anxiety rushing through her veins.
Vega stopped and faced the half-way shattered gate. The boulder sat almost split in half at its center. Crimson stained one side. Her blood, most likely. Bridget glanced at the hills behind it. Her stomach twisted. There was still no sign of Cade or Stellan or—
You’ve got to learn to relax, Bee. She’s fine, Vega answered, the words dry and casual. Bridget didn’t need to be looking at her to know she was rolling her eyes.
Then why isn’t she awake?
Do you want her to interfere with my plans?Vega snapped.
Bridget didn’t answer. The last thing she wanted was to say something to make Vega act impulsively. She’d learned a long time ago that her sister’s worst decisions came from her trying to prove a point.
With a sigh, Vega hopped down the carved stone steps and began to move toward Nylah. Her pace was too slow for Bridget’s liking, but when she crouched beside Nylah and hovered a hand over her mouth, Bridget dared to believe that maybe she was actually checking her breathing.
I’m surprised you care,Bridget said.
I don’t.
The response came without hesitation. Vega’s hand dropped from Nylah’s face and trailed to something hidden just behind her. Bridget warily eyed the oblong shape swaddled in worn red velvet. Vega gripped it and began to unwrap it with deliberate care.
But if you don’t make it through this, maybe she’ll want to be my new sister,Vega added, her tone turning playful.
Bridget seethed. When Vega turned her back on Nylah again, it took everything in her not to scream.Is that your plan?she hissed.Possess melong enough to kill me? Which in turn would kill Cade in the place you need him to.
Whatever do you mean?
The simpering mock-innocence clawed under Bridget’s skin. She could practically feel Vega smiling.
Don’t pretend like you haven’t figured out about the bond.
Bridget tried to ignore the slicing of her ribs as she thought about the bond she simultaneously hated and loved. The one that tethered Cade’s life to hers like a second heartbeat. If Vega hadn’t pieced it together before, Stellan’s willingness to let her leave in Bridget’s body should’ve made it obvious. Bridget had felt her thoughts about it slip. She knew Vega had heard them.
I’ll admit, it took me a while. It wasn’t until I saw how diminished Cade’s powers were that it hit me. You remember what he was like.Vega clicked her tongue, as though disappointed.Such a waste.
Bridget’s retort vanished as the velvet cloth fell to the stones with a whisper of finality. Vega held the sword aloft. The blade shimmered silver in the moonlight, sleek and impossible. Rubies glittered in its hilt like fresh blood, arranged in the shape of an ancient sigil that was unmistakable.
Her breath locked in her throat.
It washers.
The one she’d carried five hundred years ago. The one she thought couldn’t possibly exist anymore. She hadn’t seen it since Vega had taken her prisoner, right before the curse.
Where did you find that?
Bridget didn’t mean to ask. The words broke free, quiet and trembling with dread. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of it. There was something else about it that tugged at her mind. A pulse of a warning she couldn’t shake.
It was exactly where I’d locked it up after I found you roaming about my palace,Vega purred, her voice soaked in venomous pride.Didn’t Cade havethis made for you? How sweet. Was he still betrothed to me at the time? I don’t remember… but it’s not like that fact ever mattered to either of you.
