Page 82 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

A terrible idea.

My head swims, my mind alerting me to every possible way to die here, the least of which is falling. This is a tight spot, one crafted especially to make an opponent vulnerable. It would be impossible to defend myself, if either of them decided to attack, or any guards posted on the other side.

My hackles rise and anxiety claws up my throat.

You’re okay, the gold script flutters over my arm, and I read it and focus on the relief barreling down our connection to distract myself as we continue to make our way across the bridge that sways in the night.

I’m okay, I write back. It’s the first thing he’s asked me every day ever since our connection restored after the attack.

Are you ready to tell me what in the fuck happened the other night? I could feel you, your fear, and then nothing. I couldn’t lock on you to find you.

I hadn’t told him everything, too overwhelmed with the new situation with Zev and Jagger and getting closer to Lingate.

Don’t, I write back quickly.Don’t come find me. I’m fine, I send a wave of assurance down the bond.

You were not fine, he writes back, and I can feel how angry he is.

Shit. I didn’t want to make him worry.

I ran into a crowd that didn’t like me much, but my companions helped me and we escaped as quickly as we could. I promise, I’m okay.

And I am, in a sense.

I’m still on a path that leads to death, but I’m alive for now.

I’m…I can’t stay away from you much longer, he writes back.I’m respecting your boundaries as much as I can, but I thought I’d lost you. The things I did…the things I’ll do if you’re harmed…

I bite my bottom lip, feeling the jagged sense of worry from him.

Shit, it feels desperate.

This isn’t fair. The way I’ve bonded with him despite not committing fully to our Matched pairing. Goddess, I’ve hurt him without even trying.

I need to tell him the truth. About my plans, about why I won’t be around long enough to complete our bond.

Later. Hanging by ropes and loosely tied-together planks atop a mountain isn’t the best time to concentrate.

I’ll explain everything to you soon, Six. I promise. I’m just…now isn’t a good time.

I’ll wait for you, my Matched,he writes back.But only so long.

I need a week,I say.Please. Don’t try to find me until after I’ve explained everything. For your sake and mine.

A week and we’ll be in Lingate.

I’ll tell him everything before I meet my fate in the Collector’s Keep.

A week it is then.

I feel him slam something over our connection, the sensation so sudden I gasp. I can’t feel him anymore, and panic wells inside me.

“Are you all right?” Jagger asks as he helps me over the last plank and onto thankfully solid earth.

I nod, unable to fully answer.

Six shut me out. He’s done so in the past, explaining there are times during his day when getting a message from me would be counterproductive to his endeavors, but never like this. Never with him feeling so desperate, so worried and even a little angry.

“Cold,” I finally answer Jagger’s concerned gaze. My teeth are chattering, and I’m struggling for breath in the mountain air.

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