But when Castor came toward her, she stiffened. His earnest gaze punctured her sole. He wanted to help. She could practically hear the words inthe air between them even though he hadn’t spoken. But excess power still vibrated through her veins. And she suddenly wasn’t sure if she’d taken it from the air or from him.
He’dtouchedher. Right before she’d exploded.
Rushing past him, Cassia croaked, “Stay away from me.”
Before she became a monster and destroyed him completely.
Chapter twenty-one
Bridget
The dry fields outside of Olysa were bare and brown, just like Bridget remembered. She stood in front of a tent, the only source of shade for miles. Its dark purple, thick material clapped against the harsh wind. The crusty dirt beneath her feet billowed upward and clung to her every pore.
Bridget hated this place. Cora had kept them there for almost a month. She hadn’t been allowed any relief from the sun until she’d finally hit a target with one of the dull daggers she’d been given. Behind the straw-filled round bag that she’d trained on, a looming mountain range sat covered by smog. Instead of white peaks, dark stone crumbled every so often. One of them even had a stream of bright red liquid spewing forth.
Suza, Bridget now realized. She’d been so close. When she’d asked Cora what lay beyond the mountains, she’d snapped at her and told her it was a place that no life could go if they wanted to keep living. A wasteland. Every night, Bridget had stared at the mountains, imagining that somehow the wasteland was an escape. Because anything would be better than the penetrating heat that burned her skin.
“This placeis depressing.”
Of course, she was here. It had been foolish to think that just because she was dreaming of another place, that she wouldn’t show up.
Bridget turned to face the girl. “Try being stuck here for a month.”
Instead of her usual ball gown, the girl wore black riding pants. Her corset-like top was embroidered, with jeweled buttons and a high collar that almost reached the length of her entire neck. She closed one eye and pretended to throw something with exaggerated flair. “Is this where you learned your little knife tricks?”
Bridget’s muscles tensed. This was her head. She should know. Unless the mirage in front of her really was someone. That notion struck her to her core. Because there was only one person who had that kind of power.
“Who are you?” Bridget asked.
Part of her hoped her brain would just tell her the answer. The other part of her just wanted a real name to say. She couldn’t keep calling her the girl, not when she wasn’t one. In fact, Bridget thought she might be a tiny bit older than her.
The girl cocked her head. “Like I said, I’m just like you.”
“What does that mean?” Bridget demanded through gritted teeth. She pinched the side of her leg, hoping it would wake her up or make her scream so Cade would know she was dreaming. He couldn’t be far…
“This would be no fun if I told you,” the girl pouted, despite the conniving glint in her dark blue eyes.
A strange mix of rage and trepidation crept up Bridget’s spine. She didn’t want to be crazy. And there was only one way to find out. A knife lay covered in dust between them. Bridget lunged for it. Hot from the sun, the metal handle singed her palm.
The brunette narrowed her eyes. “Do you really think that is going to hurt me here?”
Bridget twisted the blade until it faced her own body.
“No, I don’t.”
Before the other girl could stop her, she plunged the knife into her stomach.
With a searing gasp, Bridget clutched her stomach and lurched upright. The phantom sting of the blade radiated through her abdomen, heat burning from navel to spine. Her lungs spasmed as she gasped for air, hand flinging sideways in search of Cade. Only a cold, untouched pillow met her fingers.
Panic twisted in her chest. Bridget’s pulse roared in her ears as she scanned the room. Empty. The fireplace was cold, the coals long dead. Pale light filtered through the cloudy window, revealing daytime. For a moment, she feared she was stuck in another dreamworld. Bridget screamed Cade’s name, the sound low and guttural. If she’d been asleep, she’d wake to darkness. To fire. Tohim.
Seconds later, the bathroom door burst open. Cade rushed in, green shirt half-buttoned, damp hair dripping onto his forehead. The sharp scent of citrus and cedar clung to him as he dropped beside her and framed her face with both hands.
“Hey—hey. Look at me. What happened?” His voice was urgent but steady. “Are you hurt? What’s wrong?”
Bridget leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. Shewasawake. They’d headed back to his room after they’d grabbed breakfast with Nylah so that he could shower. He’d only been gone a few minutes when she sat down on the bed with an old Elyrian history book.
“I fell asleep?”
