Page 137 of This Blood That Breaks Us

“Oh god,” I choked out.

Will was there, being stored in a steel prison. His eyes widened when he saw me. “Zach, you have to help me. You have to let me out of here. I have to get to Her.”

I didn’t need Ezra to speak it. I knew. This was the madness he’d warned me of. It was more advanced than I’d ever seen with Luke or Thane. His eyes were pitch black as he reached through the bars toward me. There were scuff marks all over the stone walls and the dirt floor.

“Will . . . ”

I wasn’t sure he even registered my presence. He knew my name, but there was nothing in his eyes; he wasn’t in there.

“Please, help me. Why are you doing this to me? She gives me the world and then takes it away. What have I done? I can be good. I can be whatever She needs me to be. Let me out. I’ll be good.”

His voice cracked, and something in me did too.

“What happened?” I reached for him, and Ezra stopped me.

Will lunged a half second later. “You fucking promised! Fuck you. You piece of shit.”

For the first time, I had nothing to say. Any words of anger I’d felt were suddenly eclipsed by pain. The pain of the bond was still there, only now I was alone to feel it all.

“We can fix this. Like Luke. This is fixable?”

“Take me to Her! Take me!” Will’s screaming echoed, making me wince.

“No, it’s as I told you. There are some things you can’t come back from. He’s no longer tethered to you and your brother. It’s impossible like this.”

Will continued to throw a tantrum and kick and claw at the walls, stopping only to sob.

“I was right. She was doing this to him. Poisoning him with Her blood to punish him.”

“Watch it. You’re a member of The Guard now. You must filter every word that comes out of your mouth. I know he was your friend—”

“Yeah, he was my friend! Are you really going to try to tell me She did this all for his own good? For mine? And not Her sick twisted games She likes to play.”

I’d looked everywhere for him, except Her room. My life was crumbling around me. The ache from the bond flared through my entire body. Will punched the wall repeatedly.

“Will, stop!”

Ezra grabbed me by the shoulders. “Get it all out now. But when you walk out of here, you’re not going to speak a word about this.”

“Just admit it. Admit that She did this to be malicious. Admit that She did this to hurt me.”

“She didn’t. She’s never done anything to hurt you. Only what was needed for the prophecy.”

“Why even keep him alive at this point?”

I didn’t want him to die, but he’d have never wanted this. To want Her. It was a mockery to him and the person he was. It was cruel, and She knew that.

“That is for Her to decide.”

“Fine. Then tell me, what did you do to my brother?”

I wanted to hear it from his own lips. For him to admit it out loud. Ezra’s hardened expression softened for a millisecond. If I hadn’t known him and I hadn’t been looking for it in his eyes, I’d have never caught it.

“What are you talking about?”

“Stop fucking with me! You know what I’m talking about. Luke was fine when I left. I saw the bloody shirt. You did something to him. I know it was you. You were there watching him. You’re always watching him.”

“These events are important to The Divine Plan.”