Page 154 of Phoenix Burn

I should never have gotten off the back of the damned Unicorn.

Moss on the left-hand side of the trunkswas almost becoming a rant as I walked. When the forest finally gave way to the road, I experienced zero sense of relief.

Because something was terribly wrong.

For one thing, try as I might, I couldn’t reestablish the connection between Sebastian and me. Not that it had been a sure thing. It seemed to come and go like the tide. But with what we’d so recently shared, I’d sensed it strengthen.

At the moment, however, it was as though Sebastian didn’t exist. Just a blankness every time I tried to reach for him. I was pretty sure he was deliberately blocking me.

Absolutely unacceptable.

The road was deserted at this time of night, but with the Dragons probably still circling, I hugged the shadows along the edges as I pushed on toward the bridge. I grew more upset with every stride when my repeated attempts to connect came back empty.

Whatever he was doing, he didn’t want me to know about it.

I began to jog, wanting to get to the bridge. Maybe he’d already be there? He could move damned fast as a beast.

I should never have got off him. Wouldn’t have, if he hadn’t blindsided me by opening his fool heart.

Who knew that all that was inside the cold-as-ice Bellati? Ihadknown. Seen it, burning in his eyes. It had swept me up in it. Or rather, swept me off him.

Dammit. Something wasverywrong. I just knew it.

The road curved, and there it was. The wood and stone structure arched gracefully over the river. Not a Unicorn in sight. I crossed the bridge and stared at Xumi’s fortified wall. Where was Sebastian?

Suddenly, I’d had enough. I slid down the embankment toward the water, sat myself down on a boulder, andreachedfor him.

He was there. I could sense him, but it was like he had his mental back turned to me.

No. Effing. Way.

I reached into myself, tapping into the energy I held down deep, and blasted it along the link.

I WILL NOT BE IGNORED.

I pumped everything I had into those words, flooding them with that powerful energy, and suddenly, reality snapped.

Or at least mine did.

I was standing in a clearing. Same trees, same moon—but I’d never been here before. And I was surrounded by distinctive tall figures with long braided gray hair.

Bellatis. I’d never seen so many together in one place.

And at the front stood a woman. Her long white hair, with crystals braided throughout, marked her as a Watcher. And she looked familiar—

With a shock, I recognized her. It was the Watcher from my dream. The one riding the Gryphon.

They all stared at me. No, not atme. I was in Sebastian’s head. He stood as a man, brandishing his horn sword.

Since you be so determined to know,his mindvoice sounded resigned.They be here for me.

My heart raced.What? Why do they want you?

Because I betrayed them, not so long ago. And he whom they serve does not forgive such things.

I caught a glimpse of his inner torment. Images flashed through his brain and to me, along with the excitement he’d had of being part of something powerful, followed by the disillusionment. And ultimately, his anguish at being forced to make a choice that would forever label him as someone not to be trusted, even if it was the right thing to do.

Whom did you betray?

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