Page 27 of Revenge of the Forgotten

Whatever secret she was about to expose was no secret to her.

“Almost a year ago, Arlet Videri was seen crossing through the portal to Earth.” Marlena paused for dramatic effect, her eyes locked on Bridger. “She’s been gone longer than ever, but she’s there picking up an essential package, one that I have new plans for this time around.” Marlena finished her stroll around the table, stopping behind Bridger’s seat. Her hand slid onto Bridger’s strong shoulder, slipping to his chest and then back up to the base of his neck

A chill ran down Bridger’s spine as her fingers dug into his skin, and emerald-green fire danced from the tips of her crimson-painted fingernails. Bridger shot back, his chair crashing against the floor as he frantically got out of Marlena’s grasp.

“So jumpy,” she purred, her lips twitching upward into a smirk. Marlena was a tiger toying with a mouse.

Bridger’s chest rose with deep breaths. The rest of the table watched, stunned. Marlena had done a lot to Bridger, but it had been many years since she’d publicly treated her commander this way.

Everyone’s eyes were on him, undoubtedly waiting to see if the warrior retaliated.

“Halo, our new friend, will be here tomorrow morning to escort you and Meyer to the portal,” Marlena told Bridger, her attention fixed on him.

Meyer finally broke the silence the room had fallen into. “What do you mean, to escort us?” He scoffed with irritation.

Marlena answered, “Halo can transport others. I’ve never seen it done before, but it was quite the discovery.”

“Discovery?” Meyer asked, cocking his head. “How old is he?”

Marlena finally turned her focus from Bridger. “Nineteen. He can’t even remember a life before my rule. A lost soul who found Khort and his band of rebels when he had no one else to guide him. A boy desperate for love, validation, looking to fit in somewhere. I used to know someone just like him, Bridger.” A direct jab. “It didn’t take much convincing to get him to agree to help me out.” Bridger could relate on levels he never wished to speak about—how it felt when Marlena set her sights on something or someone she wanted. “He will continue to have an alliance with Khort and the rebellion. A perfectly placed spy with the ability to infiltrate whenever and wherever we might need.”

Bridger closed the distance, his boots creating a thunderous rattle as the power he possessed bubbled with his anger. “Spit it out, Marlena.” He had connected the dots, but Bridger wanted to hear her say the words, letting everyone in on the little mastermind plan that Ivelle and his mother already knew.

You won’t be able to avoid her. His mother’s words from earlier rang in his ears. Katrin could have warned Bridger, but she would never risk her own life—not for anyone, her son included.

“You and Meyer are going to Earth.”

Bridger’s jaw clenched.

“It’s time to bring Vega straight to us this time. She’s been gone too long. We don’t have time to let her roam around Tolevarre, evoking the rebels further once she gets her memories back.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to wait on this side of the portal?” Meyer asked.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to sit down and shut up when the adults are talking?” Marlena barked back to the fire-wielder. “You will do as I say, and you will not question it, General.”

He bowed his head, not another word coming from him about the matter as he sank into his seat.

Meyer could back down. Bridger wouldn’t.

“You’re risking us being trapped in another realm if something were to go wrong. Then what? If you had respected the leader of your fucking army enough to bring this to me first and not use it as hot gossip for your little friend over there”—Bridger gestured to Ivelle—“then you would know that I’m not willing to risk it.”

Marlena’s gaze turned to fire. “I don’t answer to you, Bridger. You answer to me. Have you forgotten that?” The question didn’t need a response. “You will be going to Earth, and you will be returning with my sister as your prisoner. That is an order.” Without missing a beat, she strutted back to her seat and clapped her hands one time, cupping them together with a smile.

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop.

Bridger’s thumb moved over his fingers, cracking each joint as he loosened his fist for a fight.

“Who’s hungry?” Marlena cooed.

The room instantly buzzed with commotion, servants moving around with trays of mouth-watering dishes, but Bridger didn’t stay, and the force of his anger ripped the door off its hinges as he stormed out of the room.

10

“Do I always drive the whole way?” Vega groaned, her eyes feeling grainy and tired, nearing twenty hours on the road. She rubbed her palm into her eyes, sighing at the temporary relief it gave her.

Vega didn’t have a plan on when she’d need to stop for sleep. Arlet had stolen enough money to get them to California comfortably—which Vega tried not to feel bad about. Every time they stopped to fuel up, Vega grabbed a cup of coffee or an energy drink and rolled for as long as she could before needing to stop again.

With her feet up on the dash and a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos in her lap, Arlet stuck her fingers in her mouth to clean off the Dorito dust. “Duh. I don’t have a license. How am I supposed to explain to the police that I’m not from Earth if we got stopped?”

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