Page 117 of Forsaken Secrets

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Kaiya

Iwould be fine.

Wouldn't I?

Of course I'd be fine. I'd just finished the thought when my toe slammed into a root and I tumbled headfirst into the dirt. My back burned, my chest ached, and I'd royally fucked up.

Throat burning, I gasped loudly, clasping a hand in front of my mouth to stem the emotions that threatened to break free. My lungs spasmed again and again, though, and I couldn't stop the tears from coming.

Why had I ever thought this would work? The Ellingsworths had everything — power, money, respect … what hope did I have of beating them?

And Eli? What had I been thinking, trusting him?

I fucking knew better!

My chest ached at the look in his eyes as I'd punched him. That he'd tried to claim feelings for me as a reason for betrayal? It made me nauseous … heart-broken and nauseous.

"I'm assuming things didn't go as expected?" Lynk's gravelly voice interrupted my pity party, and I looked up to see him leaning against a tree, eyes dark at the edges.

I shook my head and stood, trying to quickly wipe away all evidence of my tears. Of course he'd be the one to see me like that. I should have known he'd be watching. Damn him.

"She had the Seekers all killed."

His eyes widened, but he nodded. "And what did Eli say about that?"

"Eli is actually Liam." My heart ached at the reminder of that lie, but I pushed away the feelings. "And he didn't seem all that surprised — horrified perhaps, but not surprised. He was more focused on getting the relics out of here and away from the hands of the Empire."

"Liam, huh? So he finally told you he was with the Rogues?"

My fists clenched. Had everyone known except me? "Why didn't you tell me?"

He chuckled mirthlessly. "I couldn't tell you, Kaiya, and neither could he. The Rogues have an important purpose and some bond mage girl cannot get in the middle of that — regardless of how attractive she may be."

His words rasped over my tender emotions, and I looked away, filing the compliment away for later. "He had no excuse for using me, Lynk. He could have just done it on his own. Instead, he pretended to be my friend …" More than friend.

Lynk just shrugged. "He was here on a mission. He had to use whatever resources were available to him. In the same position, you'd do the same."

I glared at him. "No. I wouldn't. I would never use someone's emotions against them like he did."

At that, his lips quirked, and he stepped away from the tree. "I see — so you treated him fairly the whole time, too? You didn't use his crush on you to your advantage at any time?"

I thought back to all our moments together and grimaced. Perhaps he had a point. Still …

"I'm not saying what he did was good, just that perhaps it was necessary."

I nodded. "Well, now I have to figure out a way to stop Ellingsworth, or explain to Aunt Grace that I failed … again."

"That's just an excuse and you know it, little thief." He uncrossed his arms. "If you wanted to solve this problem, you could have — ages ago."

I gasped. "No. You're wrong."

His eyes were tight as he shook his head. "Yes. You need to hear this, little thief. All these years wasted … and for what? So you could get the punishment you deserve for killing your uncle? Because that's what this is really about. Isn't it? You and I both know it."

His words took my breath away, and I stood there staring at him, mouth agape.

They were true, but he made it sound so wrong. "I promised him." My voice was rough with emotion. "It's my responsibility to take care of her."

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