Page 137 of Revenge of the Forgotten

“Because sometimes I wonder, if I listened to what she was telling me, if we’d be in the same situation now. If maybe Marlena would have left us alone because I wasn’t after someone who was supposed to be hers.” Vega’s hands looped behind Khort’s neck, her forearms resting on his shoulders.

Could I have been happy with Khort? It was a question she’d asked herself a million times. Could I be happy with Khort now? The second question was new to this life.

Khort let out a puff of air. “You can’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault.”

“But it is, isn’t it? I’m the reason she’s dragged you all into this.” The two of them stopped dancing and stood in the middle of the floor with their arms still around each other. “If you weren’t my friend, then you’d be safe. Your parents.” Vega choked on the words, forcing tears back. “They would still be alive. Your sister wouldn’t have—you’d be?—”

Khort’s hands shot up to the sides of her face, his calloused palms cupping her cheeks. “No. Stop.” His forest-green eyes bore into hers, bouncing between the right and the left like he was searching for something.

Vega clenched her jaw and averted her gaze. “Khort, this is all because of me. I have to be the one to fix it.”

She wrapped her hands around his wrists, pulling his palms away from her face—not because she didn’t like his touch, but because she didn’t want him to see her break down, to catch on to the secret that was threatening to spill out.

She was leaving tonight, and Vega couldn’t stray from that.

“Stop pulling away from me. Please.” His voice was soft, pleading.

Vega stopped trying to retreat, her focus returning to him. “There’s only one way to end this.” Her throat bobbled when she swallowed. Why was she trying to convince him again? He’d taken his final stance on this topic. One last time. Give him one last chance.

“No.” Khort shook his head, letting his hands fall to his sides. Vega took a step away from him when he began to speak again. “Arlet and I both agree it’s too dangerous. We will try other ways.”

Vega’s hair fell into her face as she shook her head. “There are no other ways, Khort. We’ve tried them, hundreds of times.”

Khort reached out to brush the strand out of her eyes, but Vega took another step back and did it herself, sighing heavily at the look in his eyes.

“We’re just not willing to lose you,” Khort said with a sigh.

“You’re going to lose me if you don’t let me try.” Vega’s voice shook, using the same words she’d been using incessantly to convince both Khort and Arlet to give in. “We’ll all lose.”

“Vega, please. We’ve talked about this. Let us keep you safe.”

This. This is why I didn’t choose him.

Khort always spent all of his time worrying about how he could make sure Vega was safe from all harm, protecting her like she was a small child no matter how strong she’d become. Bridger had let her fight, let her figure things out on her own—he’d believed in her once… even if that felt like eons ago.

“Sure,” Vega finally agreed. “Keep me safe.” She needed to not raise suspicions, and their little tiff was enough to have Khort questioning her.

“Can I please touch you again?” he whispered, reaching out for her delicately.

She shook her head, eyes falling to the floor. “I’m going to go to bed,” Vega said lightly. “I’m tired.”

“Let me walk you to your room.”

“You should stay here.” She nodded towards the new set of eyes on them. “Give Quinley her turn to dance with you.” Vega smiled softly. “Goodnight, Khort.”

Vega left him in the middle of the dance floor, wiping a tear from her scarred cheek as she made her exit.

Arlet and Khort had never let her feel alone before—not until now.

No backing down. You’re on your own this time.

55

My dearest Arlet & Khort,

By the time you read this letter, I’ll be a world away. I’m sure you know that. I’m sure you’ll feel it before even finding this.

I love you both more than you’ll ever know. Your friendship has been the anchor that holds me here, in this life and all the others before it. Unfortunately, there is also something holding me to a world that doesn’t want me. I cannot be fully here, fighting for us and the people who need it, if death is lurking at every corner.

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