Page 161 of Dance of Thorns

Anguish wrenches through me as I watch, helpless to look away, as Melinda pushes the tip of the knife into my wrist. Blood wells and then seeps out, running in bright crimson rivers over my skin. She calmly slices up toward the elbow, cutting the vein and opening it wide.

I look like a statue on the outside. Inside, I’m screaming.

Crying.

Yelling that I love him.

Cursing her.

Wanting to save us both, but unable to do so.

Melinda cuts a few inches up my arm before she pulls the knife away. Bloodpoursfrom the wound, so much and so fast it takes my fucking breath away.

“There,” Melinda sighs happily. She stands from the stool and looks down at me, holding the knife in her hand. “Just go to sleep, honey,” she says with a smile. She sets the knife down on the stool and turns to Bane.

“Your turn, handsome.”

Every synapse in my brain fires. Every nerve sparks. My eyes are locked right on him, watching the man I love lying bleeding out on the floor while I’m powerless to help him.

That isnot.

Fucking.

Happening.

Move.

MOVE.

My fingers twitch again. Then my hand. I reach into the void inside me, pulling every ounce of energy leftanywherein my body and slamming it all into my arm.

Move, goddammit. MOVE!

My shoulder lifts. My elbow twitches. Blood pours from my arm as I drag it across the edge of the tub, smearing red everywhere.

My fingers curl around the handle of the knife.

I look past Melinda, her back to me, at Bane. His eyes swim briefly, then they focus on me.

I love you, I silently tell him.

I’ve always loved you.

I’m only going to get one shot at this.

Better make it count.

MOVE!

By some fucking miracle, my armobeys,lifting the knife in my fist.

Melinda must hear it, because she starts to turn to look at me.

Too late, bitch.

I plunge the knife into her side, just above her hip. She staggers and whirls toward me, pulling her body away from the blade and freeing herself.

So I stab her again.