Page 76 of Monster's Pretty Bride

I shove open the door to the sanctuary, stepping into the frigid night air. The wind bites at my skin, howling through the cliffs, whispering the doubts I’m trying sodesperatelyto silence.

I pace, heart slamming against my ribs, my mind a whirlwind of memories. Amelia’s smile. Her laughter. The way she alwaysprotectedme.

She wouldn’t betray me.

Would she?

A rustling noise pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.

My bodylocks up.

Something,someone, is here.

I turn sharply, eyes scanning the tree line beyond the shimmering magic barrier.

Afigurestumbles forward.

Bloodied. Weak.

Amelia.

My stomachplummets.

She lookswrecked, hair tangled, skin pale, dark bruises marring her arms. She clutches her side, panting, her steps uneven as she drags herself toward the shielded entrance of the sanctuary.

“Eryss,” shegasps, eyes wild, desperate. “Please… please help me.”

I take an instinctive step forward, my heart twisting. “Amelia…”

“Let me in.” Her handspressagainst the barrier, her voice breaking. “I—I barely escaped. They’re coming. We don’t have much time.”

Ifreeze.

Something is…wrong.

Her magic, herpresence, itfeelsdifferent.

Toothin. Tooshaky.

The bond between us, the tether of sisterhood and magic,fraysunder the weight ofdoubt.

I swallow hard. “How did you find this place?”

She flinches. “I?—”

“Youshouldn’tknow where this is.” My voicehardens, suspicion curling in my gut. “No oneshould.”

Ameliastaresat me and she laughs.

Thesoundof it, sharp, cruel, nothing like my sister, and it sends ice through my veins.

I take a stepback.

“Eryss, Eryss, Eryss,” she purrs, wiping her bloodied mouth with her thumb. “Youalwayswere so slow, weren’t you?”

My stomachdrops.

Ishakemy head. “No?—”

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