Page 134 of Revenge of the Forgotten

Meyer’s golden eyes gleamed as he raked them up her body, sizing up his opponent. “Hello, Sparks.”

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She’d felt eyes on her, knew she was being watched, and now Vega was kicking herself in the ass for not trusting that gut feeling.

She didn’t let her lightning free, but she did let the cold wind pick up—warning Meyer she would strike if needed.

His lips twitched in a devious smile. “Oh, c’mon. Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“No,” Vega spat, the horse behind her braying with nerves, his ears shooting back.

He poked his lip out, fake pouting. “You wound me.”

Vega slid her hand down her leg, gripping Bridger’s dagger.

“Ah-ah. There’s no reason to start reaching for your weapons,” he cooed, eyes fluttering to her fingers curled around the blade. “I came here looking for you, hoping we could chat, and somehow I got oh so lucky to follow you—I can’t believe you didn’t see me, by the way. I’ve been trailing you since you left Schoenus.” He pointed towards the path she’d taken through the woods. “And came upon the stunning realization that you might know how to break your curse.”

If Marlena finds out…

Vega kept her reactions under control—she wouldn’t let him get under her skin.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Vega lied, resting a hand on the horse to keep him calm.

Meyer rolled his eyes, taking a step closer. “Don’t play dumb, Sparks. I heard it all. One quick bolt of internal lightning, strong enough to stop the heart for a minute but not strong enough to kill you. A dagger just beside the heart, but make it look like it’s been pierced. It is a brilliant plan. Simple and effective.”

The use of the nickname again made her lip curl in disgust—it had been a way for him to get under her skin years ago, and it still worked. When Meyer stepped closer, Vega let her lightning crackle to life in her hand.

“And I want to help you with your problem if you don’t sizzle me to a crisp.”

Vega’s look of disgust turned into one of confusion, her eyebrows pinching in the middle. “You what?”

“I didn’t stutter. Gosh, has all this dying fried your brain?” Meyer retorted.

Meyer, in no life, was ever a fan of Vega. She’d always known he felt Vega was the reason Bridger had fallen off his life’s path, and maybe she was, but he had chosen to follow her all on his own—just like when he’d chosen to stab her in the back. He’d done that all on his own too.

“Watch your tone, or maybe I’ll fry you instead.” Vega let her lightning scurry up and down her arm as a reminder of what she could do.

Meyer laughed, and there was a lightness to it Vega had never heard before. “If you did that, then you’d really have no one willing to help you. As you said, Colette was your last hope… and here I am, giving you one last solution, and you’re about to blow it.”

Vega chose not to let the lightning or the wind die down, keeping her power flowing through her. She’d never once trusted Meyer, and she wouldn’t start today, no matter what he said.

“And you would want to help me why?” she asked, cocking her head to the right.

Meyer looked around their secluded surroundings. “For Bridger.”

Vega felt her stomach drop, a flutter of something deep inside her coming to life. A laugh bubbled out of her core. “You’ve lost it.” She turned to grab the reins.

Meyer snatched her by the wrist before she could and spun her around. The horse let out a frightened screech.

His hand was warm around her wrist, sending Vega into fight or flight mode… and she was sick of running. Her electricity seared through her, prickling into Meyer’s hand. Not enough to kill, only to forewarn him what she would do if he laid a hand on her again.

He jumped back, shaking his palm out. “You bitch,” he sneered.

“Keep your hands to yourself, and we won’t have a problem,” she said with a promising smile.

“Then listen to what I have to say.” His voice was menacing, but Vega had seen scarier things and lived through them.

The snow fell harder, hiding them from prying eyes.

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