Page 58 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Chuckling, the doctor reached behind her desk and pulled out a spare pair of boots and clean socks. She handed them to Brynleigh with a smile. Carin’s eye had a distinctive twinkle as she asked, “Looking forward to talking to your captain?”

“Oh, yes.” Brynleigh sat up, swung her legs off the cot, and pulled on the socks and footwear. “I certainly am.”

The events of the past few days confirmed that Brynleigh needed to concentrate. The dream was the perfect example. She’d momentarily lost sight of her goals and wandered down a path of simple pleasure.

That wouldn’t happen again.

Killing the captain on their wedding night would be poetic justice, sure to inflict maximal pain on his family.

It was fitting.

Once Ryker was dead, Brynleigh would escape to the Rose Ocean and watch everything unfold from afar.

Jelisette promised to get Brynleigh to safety as soon as she accomplished her mission. The older vampire would protect her progeny from the long arm of the law.

The door swung open, and Matron Lilith entered. She stomped her boots and shook off the snow. Complaining about the cold, she frowned as she clapped her mittens together before turning to Brynleigh. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” Brynleigh exclaimed, perhaps a bit too eagerly. “I mean… I am.” She tried to tone down the excitement in her voice as she stood. “I missed talking to Ryker today.”

That was it, right? She just wanted to talk to him to make sure he would fall in love with her so she could kill him. No other reason.

“Ah, young love,” Matron Lilith chuckled as she led Brynleigh out the door. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Brynleigh didn’t bother correcting the older woman, but she knew the Matron was wrong. She didn’t love Ryker. She hated him with every fiber of her being.

Right?

Thanking the doctor, Brynleigh nodded at the guards and went outside. Snowflakes fell leisurely from the night sky.

Matron Lilith led Brynleigh through the trees towards a beautiful, snow-covered mansion. As they walked, Lilith explained that the remainder of the Choosing would take place here until the Masked Ball, thanks to the rebel attack.

Brynleigh nodded her understanding. Relocating them made sense. So did their isolated northern location.

It wasn’t until they’d climbed steps to enter through large double doors that looked like they belonged in an ancient castle that the Matron’s words shocked the vampire.

“The timeline has been condensed.”

“Condensed?” Brynleigh echoed. Her mind raced. What, exactly, did that mean? How would this affect her plans?

Matron Lilith placed her hand on Brynleigh’s and squeezed. “The Masked Ball will take place two weeks from today.”

Two weeks.

That was… not long. Not long at all.

Fuck.

All that earlier confidence fled.

Brynleigh was supposed to have two more months to make Ryker fall in love and propose. Two weeks?

That was… incredibly short.

Her heart boomed in her chest, and a headache started to form.

Isvana have mercy on her. Brynleigh couldn’t catch a fucking break. First, the rebel attack, then her dream, and now this?

“I know it seems quick,” Matron Lilith added compassionately. “But trust me, you’ll be fine.”

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