Page 110 of Irreversible

Another flick of his finger, summoning a guard.

I watch as the tall, broad-shouldered lackey with graying hair approaches Jasper. He pulls a cloth napkin out of his pocket and jabs it under my husband’s nose.

Three seconds span.

Then, with a gasp and a start, Jasper jolts awake.

His chest expands, eyes pinging open as he lurches into a sitting position, scrambling backward on the tile floor. “What…What is this…?” His voice is low and scratchy as his senses click back on.

I nearly choke.

I haven’t heard that voice in two years.

Frantic, Jasper looks right, left. Forward and behind. And when he does a double take, head swinging back in my direction, he blinks rapidly. Squints, frowns. Blinks some more. “No…”

I stare at him, my expression in ruins. “Jasper.”

“Everly?” His eyes round to twice their size. He’s still gasping for breath, shivering and stunned. “Everly…”

The moment he jumps to his feet, he’s restrained by the guard. Two meaty arms circle his torso as Jasper writhes and jerks, trying to reach me.

I reach back, sobbing. “Jasper…”

“You…you’re alive…” His eyes dart around the room, from face to face. “I d-don’t…”

The Timekeeper sighs, giving the hourglass a slight shake. “Boring. Let’s get on with it, shall we?”

I growl, fighting Dolph’s firm hold. “Please, God, just let me touch him. Let me?—”

“That’s your final choice, then? You’re choosing your husband?”

“I…” I look over at Isaac—tied, shattered, and helpless. Tears fall like violent rain as I curl into myself. “No… Isaac…”

“So, you’re choosing Isaac to be set free?” He bends to place the hourglass in front of Jasper.

Panic ripples through me. “No!”

“No?” Another sigh, his cheeks puffing with a taxing breath. “You’re giving me whiplash.”

“Don’t make me do this. Send me on the hunt.” I stomp on Dolph’s boots with limp, bare feet. “Sendme!”

“That’s not an option. We’ve been over this.” He points at Isaac, then Jasper. “One of these men will be hunted, and the other will be let go. Make your choice. And pray you can live with it.”

I close my eyes.

Images unfurl, brimming to the surface.

I hear Isaac’s voice, gritty and vulnerable. His words.

Bee.

Trust me.

You matter.

He’s right in front of me, so close, and yet there’s still a wall between us.

The unbreakable kind.

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