‘He is my mate, that’s without a question,’ I admitted. ‘But he betrayed me; I don’t know if I can ever trust him again, even if some stubborn part of me still believes he wouldn’t hurt me.’
‘How can you be so sure?’ The harsh words flew out of his mouth as he stilled, analysing me.
‘Mates can’t hurt each other. And he’s done it for reasons I… understand; it just doesn’t hurt any less.’
Isaac’s demeanour shifted, growing progressively more unsettled. ‘Your mate tried to strangle you, and you’re defending him?’
The words hit harder than they should have.
‘What?’ I whispered. ‘That’s not— How do you even know that, Isaac?’
The walls of the office seemed to close in on me.
‘It’s true, isn’t it?’ His voice dropped, only a shade softer than a snarl. ‘You know that’s unforgivable. He tried to kill you. That man is dangerous for you, Ava.’
It was becoming difficult to breathe.
‘Wow, hold on.’ I raised my hands as I jumped off the windowsill and took a step back before I even realised I’d moved. ‘How do you know allthis?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ there was anger in his voice. ‘A mate should be the source of safety, the one person you rely on to protect you from dangers, not cause them. You need to think of what your life would be like with him.’
Was he really trying to make me turn my back on River?
‘I don’t know where you got that information, but you’re missing context and—’
‘Context doesn’t justify your mate putting hands on you!’ he roared.
The sound cracked through the room like lightning.
Instinctively, I backed away further.
His eyes flicked to the movement. Noted it. Regretted it.
Running his hand through his hair, he exhaled sharply and covered his face. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to explode.’
Creating distance wasn’t a conscious choice. And it wasn’t fear. It was memory, a habit of cowardice ingrained so deeply I couldn’t control my impulses. I knew it, yet I stayed away.
‘Please tell me how you found out,’ I begged, quieter now.
His stare sharpened again, locking onto mine. ‘Will it change anything?’
‘No, but I haven’t told anyone, so he might have a spy in his court. I need to let him know.’
A beat passed.
‘Nobody told me,’ he whispered. ‘I saw it in your nightmare.’
The words settled slowly.
Miriam’s voice echoed in my head. Nightmare powers.
My stomach dropped.
I couldn't believe it. ‘You used your nightmare powers on me?’
Isaac’s face lost its colour. ‘What? Never.’
‘Then howdid you—’
