Page 136 of Bound By Darkness

“Thalia?” Moria appeared from the tent, her figure falling into frame.

Thalia turned to Moria, her eyes glancing between the two of us.

“Go on. I’ll meet you later.”

“Just because I’m ditching you doesn’t mean what we talked about is over,” she said in hushed tones.

“Then find a way to expel the information from me,” I whispered before taking a step back.

Try as she might to hide it, her ears gave her away as they turned a shade pink. With a wave, she bounded over toMoria, her arms embracing the woman in a tight hug. The pair walked off, their laughter echoing among the rainfall as I remained behind.

I needed to tell her who I was before it was too late. Out of everyone here, she deserved the truth. I hated the lies. I hated hiding my identify from her, but the thought of losing her kept my lips sealed. I was going to tell her under the tree, but then we’d donethatand all confidence had withered away. Resting my hands against the back of my neck, I let the rain soak me from head to toe. I’d tell her tomorrow. No matter the consequences. I owed her that much.

A hand slid down my back.

“I thought she’d never leave.”

Turning around, I swatted the hand away as my shirt clung to my wet back.

My eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

The hooded figure chuckled darkly. “My, my, Kaydn. So demanding.” The figure gestured to their side where the Book of Spells rested beneath her cloak. “It was surprisingly easy to slip through the wards with this on me.”

I took a step back.

No one was around us as the rain pelted the ground. “What do you want?”

The hooded figure whistled. “Not going to introduce me to her? And here I thought we might make excellent friends.”

“That’s not part of our deal. You?—”

“I touch her and die. Whatever,” the hooded figure mocked as they revealed a letter from their cloak. “It’s time. I suggest you complete your end of the bargain soon. Otherwise, the consequences might be severe.”

“You said we still had time after I brought her here like you asked. It’s too early and she’s not ready.”Iwasn’t ready.

“Rip the bandage off. It’s time Iyanna faced real loss, andwe can’t accomplish that without her.” The figure chuckled, rain concealing their voice. “Don’t make me use the blood oath.”

Snatching the letter, I stuffed it into my back pocket, a slight growl to my voice as I spoke, “Understood.”

The scars on my fingers twitched—blood oaths. Each scar represented blood oaths I’d made in my lifetime, but none were as potent as the one I’d been forced into years ago.

The hooded figure stepped back. “Just because you followed instructions by bringing her here does not mean I’m irritated at the pace you are going. Do not fail me, Kaydn.”

“Do not forget your oath, too,” I said into the shadows. “Thalia stays safe.”

But the figure was already gone like a ghost seeping into shrouded mist.

Chapter 40

Unfurled Memories

THALIA

“Come on.I want you to meet someone,” I said as I hurriedly tugged Fin from the tent.

He rubbed his eyes, a yawn escaping his lips. “The light isn’t even out yet.”

“Because it’s early morning. First light is still a few hours away.”

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