Page 34

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ERYSS

T he walls of the sanctuary feel suffocating . Thick, impenetrable stone carved deep into the mountain, layered with magic to keep the outside world out . I should feel safe here. I should feel grateful .

Instead, I feel trapped .

Catalina still hasn’t woken up. Her breathing is steady, her body still warm, but she doesn’t stir . It’s like she’s locked somewhere deep inside herself, tangled in invisible chains, and I can’t break them, feeling helpless.

I sit by her bedside, fingers trembling as I brush damp strands of hair from her forehead.

“She’s not waking up because she doesn’t want to.”

I snap my head up, heart pounding, and glare at the towering figure in the doorway.

Naranus stands there, his figure towering and his golden eyes dark with knowing .

I rise to my feet, squaring my shoulders. “That’s not true.”

He cocks his head. “Isn’t it?”

I shake my head, refusing to entertain his pessimism . “She was controlled, Naranus. Someone took her mind and used her against us. She wouldn’t?—”

“It was Amelia ,” he interrupts, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

The words knocks me sideways.

I stare at him. “You don’t know that.”

His eyes narrow. “She’s the only one who had access to Catalina’s mind. The only one strong enough to wield magic like that without leaving a trace.”

I clench my fists, shaking my head. “No. No, that’s not true. Amelia would never?—”

“She knew where to find us,” he pushes, stepping closer, towering over me like a storm ready to break . “She knew about the mission. She knew you were meant to die. What makes you think she wasn’t ensuring it happened?”

I lunge at him, shoving hard against his chest.

He doesn’t move .

“Shut up,” I breathe. “Just shut up .”

But he doesn’t. “You’re lying to yourself.”

My chest caves in. My throat tightens .

I can’t do this.

Without another word, I turn on my heel and storm out of the chamber, his voice ringing in my skull.

It was Amelia.

No. No.

She was my sister . My family . She wouldn’t.

I shove open the door to the sanctuary, stepping into the frigid night air. The wind bites at my skin, howling through the cliffs, whispering the doubts I’m trying so desperately to silence.

I pace, heart slamming against my ribs, my mind a whirlwind of memories. Amelia’s smile. Her laughter. The way she always protected me.

She wouldn’t betray me.

Would she?

A rustling noise pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.

My body locks up .

Something, someone , is here.

I turn sharply, eyes scanning the tree line beyond the shimmering magic barrier.

A figure stumbles forward.

Bloodied. Weak.

Amelia.

My stomach plummets .

She looks wrecked , hair tangled, skin pale, dark bruises marring her arms. She clutches her side, panting, her steps uneven as she drags herself toward the shielded entrance of the sanctuary.

“Eryss,” she gasps , eyes wild, desperate. “Please… please help me.”

I take an instinctive step forward, my heart twisting. “Amelia…”

“Let me in.” Her hands press against the barrier, her voice breaking. “I—I barely escaped. They’re coming. We don’t have much time.”

I freeze .

Something is… wrong .

Her magic, her presence , it feels different.

Too thin . Too shaky .

The bond between us, the tether of sisterhood and magic, frays under the weight of doubt .

I swallow hard. “How did you find this place?”

She flinches. “I?—”

“You shouldn’t know where this is.” My voice hardens , suspicion curling in my gut. “ No one should.”

Amelia stares at me and she laughs.

The sound of it, sharp, cruel, nothing like my sister, and it sends ice through my veins.

I take a step back .

“Eryss, Eryss, Eryss,” she purrs, wiping her bloodied mouth with her thumb. “You always were so slow, weren’t you?”

My stomach drops .

I shake my head. “No?—”

“Yes,” she hisses , stepping closer, eyes gleaming with something dark . “You really thought they sent you on this mission because you were the best? The most capable?”

Her lips twist .

“I told them to send you.”

The words crush me.

My lungs constrict. My hands tremble .

She, no, she’s lying .

She has to be.

“No,” I whisper.

Her grin widens.

“Oh, sweet sister.” She tilts her head. “You were in the way .”

A sharp gasp tears from my throat.

She scoffs , rolling her eyes. “The elders love you. Too much. They’d never let me ascend while you were still around, standing there like a fucking saint , so good at everything, so damn special .”

Tears burn my eyes.

My own sister …

“You planned this,” I choke out.

Her expression softens mockingly. “Oh, Eryss.” She presses a hand to the barrier, smiling. “Don’t look so shattered .”

I lunge for her, rage burning through me, magic igniting in my blood.

Only to slam against the invisible barrier.

I can go out .

She can’t come in .

But if I step through , if I leave the sanctuary, I’ll be vulnerable .

She knows it .

She wants me to step outside.

She leans in, voice a whisper. “Come on, sister. Kill me. You want to.”

I do .

I do .

My hands shake as I press against the barrier, my nails biting into my palms. I could end this. Right here. Right now .

A strong arm wraps around my waist, yanking me back .

A growl rumbles against my ear.

“ Enough. ”

My body collides with solid heat.

Naranus.

His grip tightens, yanking me away from the threshold.

Amelia’s smirk widens as she takes a mocking step back. “Oh, look at that. Your pet monster cares .”

Naranus snarls , fangs bared .

Amelia just laughs , retreating into the darkness. “See you soon, dear sister.”

And she’s gone .

I break .

A raw, shaking sob tears from my throat, my knees buckling .

Naranus catches me, his arms crushing me to his chest.

“Eryss—”

I shake my head, chest heaving , the pain unbearable.

“ She betrayed me. ” My voice breaks .

“Eryss—”

I can’t calm down.

“She betrayed me,” I gasp, choking on my own tears. I’m losing my shit.

Suddenly, his mouth crashes down onto mine.

Heat. Fire. Possession.

I let him take me under .