Page 169 of The Bond That Burns

Catherine’s grip on hers was casual, as if the weapon were just an accessory. But Marcus was raising his slowly, deliberately. Like a man about to do something irrevocable.

“Medra!” My heart lurched in my chest. She turned towards me, startled, her green eyes meeting mine for a split second.

I didn’t think. I moved. I started to shove past Blake, his shout of protest drowned out by the roaring in my ears.

I didn’t feel the bolt at first.

One moment, I was moving forward, my arms outstretched. And then—fire. White-hot, tearing pain exploded in my chest.

I stumbled, my hand clutching at my chest. Warm spread across my fingers.

“Florence!” I heard Medra scream. Her voice sounded as if it was coming from so far away.

The world was blurring, colors smearing together like a child’s messy painting. My knees buckled and I pitched forward, the ground rushing up to meet me.

Strong arms caught me, stopping my descent.

I looked up at Blake. I wanted to say something, anything. My lips wouldn’t obey. The world was fading, Medra’s screams dimming, Blake’s desperate murmurs growing quiet.

The shadows rose up to greet me, swallowing me whole.

CHAPTER 43 - BLAKE

I fixed my good eye on Marcus as he stepped out of the grove. In my periphery, I vaguely registered Pendragon dashing in front of me. She’d broken free from Tanaka’s grip and, with Theo, began carrying Florence to the side of the courtyard. The blood on her hands made my chest tighten, but I shoved it down. I had to focus. Had to distract the sociopathic asshole better known as my brother.

“What the fuck, Marcus?” I said evenly, trying to keep my attention on me. “I knew you were a terrible shot. But really?”

Marcus shrugged. “She got in the way. You know damn well who that was meant for.” He glanced back at where I’d left Aenia. “Carrying our baby sister’s corpse around? Now that’s a new look for you, Blake.”

Rage threatened to drown me but I bit it back, dodging as a second bolt hissed past my ear. My vampire reflexes pulled me toward Marcus in a blur, closing some of the distance between us.

I wanted to tear him apart. Wanted to scream at him for his cruelty, his callous disregard. But above it all, I wanted her back. Aenia, my little sister, was gone. And I couldn’t even afford the time to grieve.

“You don’t get to talk about her,” I spat. “Not ever.”

“Why not?” Marcus feigned a pout. “She was family, wasn’t she? Isn’t that what you always wanted, Blake? For us to be one happy family?”

I snarled.

Marcus shrugged. “Fine. I won’t mourn her then. Not that she meant much, honestly. A feral brat with no leash. You should have put her down ages ago. Glad to see you finally grew a pair and did it.”

His voice was cool and mocking. His pale blue eyes were full of amusement, but there was something cold and calculated there, too. Marcus had always been unhinged. He’d never been much of a planner. Too willing to follow Viktor’s plans to ever come up with any of his own.

I didn’t bother to correct him. Didn’t bother to tell him I was pretty sure Theo had killed my little sister. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was she was gone.

Gone. And I hadn’t even had a chance to say good-bye.

Another bolt sped towards me. I sidestepped, the movement automatic, effortless. “You’re a fucking monster,” I hissed. “Aenia was more my sister than you’ll ever be my brother. She was a kid. She didn’t ask for any of this.”

The words caught in my throat, a lump of raw grief and fury I couldn’t swallow. She hadn’t asked for this. She hadn’t deserved any of it. And I hadn’t been able to save her. When she’d needed me the most, I’d failed her.

Marcus shifted and this time I moved before he’d even fired, darting to the side. The bolt clattered harmlessly against the stones behind me.

“Let Lunaya go,” I said, my voice low. The Orphos girl stood rigidly at my brother’s side. Something was decidedly off about her.

Instead, Marcus tugged savagely on Lunaya’s wrist. She didn’t even flinch. He laughed, the sound grating on my ears. “Let her go? Not a chance. She’s mine now. Look at her face. Can’t you tell she wants to be here? She wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He lifted Lunaya’s chin roughly. “Would you, darling?”

Lunaya said nothing, simply stared back at him, her face expressionless.

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