Page 103 of The Court of Truth

“That includes you,” I breathe, and he nods, the sad smile on his face an attempt at encouragement.

“It’s okay, Nora.”

“Dad, no.”

“You’ll save me; I know you will,” he insists, like it’s as simple as that, but it isn’t.

“I can’t promise?—”

“Do it, Nora. Do it. You’re our only hope.”

Brody nods beside him, and as I swallow past the lump forming in my throat, I close my eyes.

I’m scared. I’m freaking petrified. But if Adrianna can be as brave as she is every second of every day, then I can be too, even if it’s just for this moment.

Channeling my magic, my head falls back and the tendrils of my mind’s magic break through the barrier protecting me, extending to the very edge of where the army has us trapped. It’s overwhelming. Nausea churns in my gut as every single thought threatens to intrude upon my own.

I stop thinking and just act.

Not my dad. Not my dad. Please, not my dad.

The energy coiling through my veins holds me tight, draining rapidly until I slump to my knees. The bright light reflecting on the back of my eyelids dims as if the barrier protecting me has been released.

It takes four attempts to open my eyes before I can finally focus on anything. The first sight that greets me is grass—crimson-stained grass between where my hands are planted.

Dad?

I sway as I lift my head, finding Brody crouched in front of me with a smile teasing the corner of his mouth.

“Dad,” I rasp, hoping like hell he doesn’t think I’m delusional.

Thankfully, he points to my right, and I turn slowly. Oh-so-slowly, to find my father on his knees in a similar position to me.

“Dad,” I repeat, watching in slow motion as he tilts his face to the side and smiles at me.

“You did it, Nora,” he croaks, and I take a deep breath, relief flooding me as I try to glance around the field.

I can’t think about the actual lives I’ve taken. I can’t handle it, so I focus on the fact that I’m saving those I care about, that my sister loves.

The single thought of my sister seems to set off a blood-curdling scream that ripples through the air. Brody hauls me to my feet, pushing me behind him protectively, and I almost stumble over two dead soldiers.

I spy Raiden, Flora, Brody, Arlo, Beau, and Kryll among the madness, all safe, but that’s not where the scream came from.

Addi collides into… Addi, knocking her to the floor.

Scrambling over dead bodies, I cling to Brody, barreling toward them with everyone else.

“You conniving bitch. You think you can defeat me?” One of them snarls, and I freeze. Would my Addi say that?

They stand en guard, facing one another, ready to rip each other to shreds as the rest of us ping our gazes back and forth, trying to figure out who the hell is who.

I peer at Brody, mouthing one word.

‘Bond.’

He shakes his head, making my stomach tighten with panic as I spin back around to the two identical women standing side by side.

The one to the left turns with wide eyes, gaping at Kryll. “Kill her. She can’t keep pretending to be me!”

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