Page 7 of Moonlight Bonds (The Nexus #4)

He gulps. “I was bred and created along with Hollis, along with many other soldiers that are in the Vian army. I was carried by a woman that I call my mother, but she wasn’t my biological relation in any sense.

I have no idea who is. Neither does Hollis.

We’re the only ones who have each other.

Twins are rare, and it’s even more rare that we have strong powers.

The second we were born, the king sensed what we are, and he had us titled as commanders and trained to be ruthless for him.

The woman I called mother did it for money, and she kept an eye on us as we were trained growing up.

The carriers are seen as sluts in the Vian city.

She was killed because she refused another commander when he demanded sex, and he accused her of being a Nexus sympathiser.

The punishment for that in the city is being drained.

I had to watch, and so did Hollis. After that, I felt no emotions.

I was taught emotions were weakness, and I believed it completely.

Nothing. Emptiness, stillness. Hundreds of years of not feeling…

until I felt you in the world for the first time.

Then everything changed. I felt my own heart beating to life. ”

“How heroic of you. I am sorry about your mother, but it changes nothing.” I blow out a breath.

“I do not want to be your mate. I was right to reject you in the first place, and I will reject you for every single day of our lives until I am dead. With your so-called help, that will be sooner rather than later. Now I suggest you leave, because my Nexus, she is desperate to take a bite out of you, and it won’t be nice. It won’t be pretty.”

“Wait.” Rhodes reaches out and grabs my arm, and with my other hand, I punch him hard across the face.

He winces, but he doesn’t stumble back, just accepting it.

I expect to feel better, to enjoy the blood dripping from his lip, but it just makes me feel sick to see it.

Both of us are breathing heavily, staring at each other.

“I don’t expect you to believe me, and I definitely deserved that.

I’m here for a reason, and I need to tell you something. ”

“I don’t want to hear a word that you say.” I pull my arm from him.

“How about if it comes from me? I’ve never lied about disliking you.” Hollis walks out in a suit, his hands tucked into his pockets, a thick cloak hanging off his shoulders. The moonlight casts a light around him, making his blond hair so bright it almost looks silver.

I growl in greeting. Rhodes rubs his sore cheek. “I told you not to follow me this time, brother.”

“I knew she wouldn’t be smart and listen to you.

I’m surprised you’re still standing.” Hollis turns his eyes to me.

“Severi is in danger, and he will die by the end of the next day if you don’t come with us.

There is a public hanging and burning planned for your prince, and we cannot get him out alone.

” Hollis turns his eyes behind me, and I feel Finnegan getting closer.

Finnegan’s huge bear paws pad over next to me, and he presses into my side. I put my hand on his head to stop him. “Wait. Don’t attack them, Finnegan.”

He bares his teeth at the twins. Rhodes lowers his head. “Everything I did was to keep her alive, and you don’t know everything yet. Neither of you do. The Gods are playing with us all, and if we aren’t careful, Gwen’s life will be the cost of their games. I did not mean to hurt her.”

Finnegan’s bear is silent, staring down at Rhodes. I look at Hollis, who smirks at me. Prick. “Why can’t you get Severi out? Why come to me?”

“Because we’re watched at all times when we’re in the city.

The king doesn’t trust us, and even coming here was a risk.

But you wouldn’t be noticed. You already had a potion that made you pretty much undetectable.

We know how to get in and out of the city, and Rhodes will make sure the path is clear.

” Hollis cocks his head to the side. “And why would I save that asshole? I’m only here because I’m getting someone else out of the city tomorrow, and it’s a good opportunity for you to get someone out too. Your powers might be useful.”

“Why did you come?” I ask Rhodes next.

His answer makes me wish I didn’t ask. Wish I didn’t hear it. “Because I love you.”

Alarms start ringing out across the black market, cutting into the moment. I’m almost happy to hear it until I see fires and people rushing into the market. “Vian?”

I frown, turning across to see the area being flooded with Nexus.

I think. I barely recognise them. They wear deep blue uniforms, like academy uniforms, and they are definitely rangers.

Rhodes answers after a quick look at Hollis.

“No, these are Nexus from Morriganis City. I heard they’re hunting for you, Gwenieve.

Someone must have told them you were here.

They’re using their army to look for you before the Vian king finds you.

I doubt they want you alive. You’re now a weapon to be gotten rid of to them. ”

“I’m not going with you, because I’ll never trust you again. I’m going for Severi.” I made up my mind.

“I’m well aware.” Rhodes sounds sad, but I ignore his tone. More shouts echo through the air. “We need to leave before they set up a ward to sense us.”

Finn growls low at them both as we begin to walk away to the back of the market, for an exit that Rhodes and Hollis claim to know.

Once I’ve gotten Severi, I never want to see the twins again.

My Nexus whispers into my mind, “They will bow as the world falls at our feet and they all bleed. Our time is coming.”