Page 45 of Owned

“No time for that,” he murmured and then turned and reached out a hand toward me. “Come closer. It’s safe.”

I didn’t believe him, but my feet moved of their own accord.

I grabbed hold of Valen’s arm and gripped it as I peered over the edge. The narrow strip of land at the bottom was barren and empty. No trees or plants grew there, just shadows, sharp rocks, and dust. My breath caught as I noticed a bouquet of white flowers with dark green leaves that stood out against the drab colors.

The flowers Valen tended…

Valen watched my face, gauging my reaction, studying me, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t stop looking at the barren ground below.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I told you,” he said. “I wanted you to meet her. That was where they found her body. Murdered, drained of magic, and dumped in the ravine. Mariam didn’t even try to hide it. She was proud of what she’d done. Justified.”

There was no one here. “Are you just trying to scare me?” I blurted out.

“You think that’s what I’m doing?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t know what anyone is doing anymore.”

Wind tugged at my hair and I finally dragged my eyes away from the ravine.

“I don’t want you to end up like her—” he said finally. “You have to protect yourself.”

I shook my head as bitterness filled my mouth. “And how am I supposed to do that?”

He didn’t answer, and I released my hold on his arm.

“Why do you stay here? Why don’t you run?”

He looked down at the ravine, his expression shadowed and thoughtful. “My mother is still here,” he said, almost to himself.“Not just her memory. I feel her. Right here, in this place... That’s why I stay.”

The wind picked up and whistled through the trees like a chorus of hollow voices. My head spun as the grimoire’s whispers fought for dominance in my mind, pushing my thoughts aside. “I can’t take it,” I said. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”

Valen was close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body through my sweater. “You don’t have to be,” he said. “You can leave—”

I stared at him in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“Withermarsh. Messana. Lucian.” He hesitated, then his expression grew resolute. “All of it. If you want, I’ll show you how.”

I’d imagined leaving so many times, but always alone.

Was he serious?Or was this just another test—Would he drag me in front of Lucian again and mock me with his brothers standing over me?

“But you—” I stammered, “You’d really go?” I took a step back, the distance was safe and terrifying all at once. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I can.”

His expression grew earnest. “You can. You don’t know Lucian like I do, like we do. You don’t owe him anything.”

I shook my head. “He’ll never let me go.”

“He’ll never find you,” Valen said. “I promise you’ll be safe— I’ve been planning it for a long time, waiting for the right moment.”

“But how do I know—”

“That you can trust me?” He cut in. “Because I’m theonlyone you can trust. I’m the only one whounderstandsyou.”

That wasn’t true.

They all understood me—different parts of me.

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