Page 66 of Stolen Seconds

An unsettling sensation took root in the pit of my stomach as I stared at the intricate triangle carved on the side.

The same mark I saw on Viktor’s wrist.

My blood ran cold as the pieces finally came together until the full picture flashed before my eyes.

A tsunami of emotions raged inside my chest as I sat back, the steady beat of my heart becoming erratic.

What have you done, Irina?

Chapter 19

Irina

Icouldn’t prolong the inevitable.

It was midday when I walked down the pathway of the backyard and toward Nico’s.

I’d learned that he didn’t live in the house like I expected but in the shed out back.

The cold air didn’t do anything to dull the nauseous heat spreading from my chest.

I was going into this conversation blindly, but instinct told me that my brother would hear me out. He wasn’t hot headed and irrational like most men in our world. I could trust him.

I knocked on the wooden door twice before stepping back, fidgeting in place. It was unusual for me to be this nervous. I’d been in situations less comfortable, yetthishad me more tense.

But the difference was my heart was on the line.

This was the first time I’d let someone see how damaged it was.

Lies. Luca saw it and you ran.

My throat tightened as my subconscious screamed at me to turn around.

I was torn, the weight of my responsibility crushing me beneath gravity.

It was then that the door creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts as a composed Nicolai appeared on the other side.

His smile lasted all of a second before it dropped. “Why do you appear frightened?”

I blinked in uncertainty, anxiety rippling off me in waves.

“Can I come in?”

He nodded and opened the door wider.

I walked into the small space, the shed a replica of the main house. It was tidy and didn’t feel as warm.

I took a seat on the black leather couch, linking my fingers together.

“Are you hurt?” My brother asked, seating himself beside me.

“No.”

“Are you here to accompany your misery again?” The side of his mouth lifted in a grin.

I choked out a laugh because that couldn’t be closer to the truth. “Something like that.”

He waited for me to continue, pushing his glasses up with the tip of his finger.

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