Page 123 of On Edge

But then Nell sneers.Why are you being so cowardly? Go back there. Investigate. That’s what you’re here to do.

She’s right. Here I am, hiding in my room. I need to be stronger. I need to be better at this because everything is on the line.

Troy’s going to wake up soon and kill me.

27

My dark Sweeney,

Some nights I lie awake thinking about what you said, that you want to pull me out of this world, take me somewhere the shadows can't reach. But I am the shadow now.

Every night I spend in these places, every secret I uncover, every truth I dig up…it all becomes part of me. The darkness isn't something I'm fighting anymore.

Very much like you, it's something I am. You taught me that.

Even before we met, I didn't know that the horrors I was investigating led back to the fire that killed the Swanleys. By the time I discovered the connection, I was already in love with you.

Nothing else in my life feels as real as our stolen moments. When you look at me, you see something worth saving. I wish I could see her too. But she's disappearing, slowly, piece by piece…

28

SAGE

“Where are you going, little finch?”

His voice carries across the hallway, soft and full of venom. His words make my blood run cold, my heart beat a little faster, and shamefully, heat pool low in my belly as I sense him coming,

Run. I don’t, but my feet do move faster, carrying me toward the rear door in the East Wing. Then I’m running across the frost-slick lawn toward the stone steps. I don’t have a coat, only my cardigan, but I barely feel the cold, even though icy wind tears at my hair, kissing my cheeks with its cold lips. And then I’m climbing up the stone-spiraling steps, taking two at a time, every inhale like dragging knives through my lungs.

My breath comes in ragged gasps as I reach the terrace. I have no idea if he’s behind me, but I dare not look back. Clutching at the parapet with my frozen fingers, I make my way to the edge of the walkway.

Without bolt cutters, this should be as far as I go, but I have a key. At the base of the tower, I shove it into the old lock with shaking hands.

Please, please, please…

It turns with a click, and the tower door swings open, squeaking in the wind.

“Sage!”

I stall at the entrance. Every nerve in my body is electrified when I hear him behind me.

He’s right there.

How did he close the distance so fast?

I turn around, my heart hammering in my chest. Troy is standing at the end of the walkway, backlit by the dying sun, looking like some dark god of retribution…the wind whipping his hair into wild disarray, his shirt fluttering open, his sleeves rolled up, revealing muscled forearms heavy with ink.

It’s raining now, small drops that land on my cheeks and lashes, running into my eyes.

He doesn’t seem bothered by it, continuing to stalk towards me slowly, fractured green eyes fixed on me with a mix of wrath and fascination—a lion closing in on cornered deer.

And I feel very, very cornered.

He’s enjoying this.

Aren’t you?

No.