Page 77 of Monster's Pretty Bride

“Yes,” shehisses, stepping closer, eyes gleaming with somethingdark. “Youreallythought they sent you on this mission because you were the best? The most capable?”

Her lipstwist.

“Itoldthem to send you.”

The wordscrushme.

Mylungsconstrict. My handstremble.

She, no, she’slying.

Shehasto be.

“No,” I whisper.

Her grin widens.

“Oh, sweet sister.” Shetiltsher head. “You werein the way.”

A sharpgasptears from my throat.

Shescoffs, rolling her eyes. “The eldersloveyou. Too much. They’dneverlet me ascend while you were still around, standing there like a fuckingsaint, sogoodat everything, so damnspecial.”

Tearsburnmy eyes.

My ownsister…

“Youplannedthis,” I choke out.

Her expressionsoftensmockingly. “Oh, Eryss.” She presses a hand to the barrier, smiling. “Don’t look soshattered.”

I lunge for her,rageburning through me, magicignitingin my blood.

Only toslamagainst the invisible barrier.

I cango out.

Shecan’t come in.

But if I stepthrough, if I leave the sanctuary, I’ll bevulnerable.

Sheknows it.

Shewantsme to step outside.

She leans in, voice a whisper. “Come on, sister. Kill me. Youwantto.”

Ido.

Ido.

My handsshakeas I press against the barrier, my nailsbitinginto my palms. I could end this. Right here. Rightnow.

A strongarmwraps around my waist, yanking meback.

Agrowlrumbles against my ear.

“Enough.”

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