Page 139 of Revenge of the Forgotten

“Vega,” she cooed, reaching out to grab her hands as if Vega would disappear if she didn’t.

People acted like she was part of some prophecy—that by her being back, their land would be saved.

Vega wished she could promise that.

“No, it’s just me and the kids.” Her voice shook.

Vega squeezed her hand. “Okay, I need you to listen closely. There’s a rowboat east of the main docks. I hid it underneath the middle row. It has some holes so it won’t hold all of you, but if you get on alone and paddle to Imber, someone will come find you. And they will come back for the kids. They’ll take you to a safe spot, but you need to go now.” Her voice was hushed but firm.

The woman started to protest. “I can’t leave here.”

“You have to. There is going to be an attack. Soon. Marlena is calling for a kill-all in Solum, and if you don’t get out of here, you and your children will die.” Vega saw no sense in sugarcoating what would happen if they didn’t leave.

The mother’s eyes grew wide, panic setting in. “No.”

Vega nodded, patting her hand and letting it go. “I wish I was lying, but I’m not. You need to get your kids out of here. They’ll be safe where I’m sending you.”

The woman finally nodded. “Okay. Okay, I will go.” She looked over her shoulder at her four children, eyes filled with tears. “I lost my husband last month to the flu. I can’t lose them too.”

“Then get them to safety.”

Vega was pulled into a quick hug, and the woman mumbled a goodbye before scurrying off to round her kids up.

The silence didn’t last long.

“That was very nice of you, Kitten.”

Vega hadn’t felt him approach, but now that he was near, Vega couldn’t ignore the tug in her chest or the featherlight whisper of his words inside her head.

Bridger was in his commander’s uniform, no cape hanging off his shoulders, and he was strapped to the nines with weapons. The uniform he wore wasn’t the one for show—it was the one for battle.

No. Vega felt her face fall, and her body went ice cold with a rush of blood.

“Cat got your tongue?” he asked, taking a step towards her.

“It’s Saturnalia, Bridger. You can’t.” Fear shook her voice, her powers inside begging to be set free.

“War waits for no one, and you and your friends slaughtered seventy of my soldiers. It’s only fair we answer back.” Bridger’s eyes were hollow with dark circles underneath, his hair longer than she’d ever seen it. He was disheveled, and it looked as if he hadn’t slept in weeks.

“Your men were hurting innocent people,” Vega bit back.

Bridger’s throat bobbed when he laughed dryly. “So killing them is okay? I thought you were against people dying?” He cocked his head to the side, waiting for an answer.

“You once told me not everyone is worth saving.” Vega locked her eyes on his. “And I don’t believe anyone who would willingly follow my sister is worth saving.”

Her dig hit home, right where it was supposed to.

The smile that took over his face was sinister, coated with ice, and dipped in darkness. “I was never meant to be saved.”

Bridger took another step towards her, and Vega stood her ground, feeling not a drop of fear in his presence like she might have in previous lives.

“Is that how you feel about the dreams you’re having of me? Of the feelings you’re trying to suppress whenever you see me, get to touch me, kiss me? That you don’t deserve to be saved?” Vega took a step forward too, closing the distance until her chest grazed against him. Their height difference was on display, Bridger towering over a foot above her with a menacing glare.

Bridger’s jaw flexed with anger, causing Vega to crack a smile that mimicked her sister’s.

“Do I see a crack in that impenetrable shell?” She licked her lips slowly, watching Bridger’s eyes flick to them. “Has Vega Caelum ruined Tolevarre’s greatest warrior? Have I finally become the undoing you told me I’d be?”

Speaking through a clenched jaw, Bridger replied with a growl, “Don’t flatter yourself.” His hand reached out, brushing against her cheek. “Where have you been hiding in Imber, sweet girl?”

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