Page 49 of Centaur Bolt

Twenty minutes later, when our boss finally called us into action, the Webspinner came with me, clinging beneath my hair.

I shifted position on the cold stone and let the memories fade away. I’d always been the violent one. The monster no one crossed if they wanted to live.

But we’d kept a secret all those years—Ace was the leader in our partnership, not me. He called the shots. Told me what to do, and when.

Months after his death, I remained adrift, searching for the impossible.

The one worthy enough to lead, so I could, once again, feel whole.

17

Rafael

My life had reached a new low.

I was chained to the wall by an ankle, and my wrists were cuffed together in front of me. They hadn’t taken me to Finn’s torture chamber, but rather to a bedroom off one side. I was set up here with enough chain to use more than just a bucket.

I would have preferred to remain in the cell. The accommodations might be more comfortable here, but that comfort would not last.

Break him, Isobel had said. The final confirmation of a lie. That I had ever felt anything for her—or for Aurora. How could I have been so blind?

Or so stupid.

However, I wasn’t a naïve child any longer. I’d learned something in that fetid town alley. My fingers curled against each other as I tested the limits of the cuffs. I had a few inches of play. That was it.

It would have to be enough.

I’d let the Bellatis drag me here and fasten the manacles. They were merely Isobel’s pawns. They weren’t my target.

I would only get one shot at it, and I wanted it to count.

Two of them had remained behind to watch every twitch I made. I contemplated the four walls around me for a few hours.

I knew she would come. Because she hadn’t yet asked the important question. So it didn’t surprise me when I sensed her approach.

I sat up on the bed. The chain attached to my ankle clanked.

Isobel wasn’t alone. She had Finn and Aurora with her. At least the arrogant Dragon was absent—no doubt off hunting for Marcus and Havoc.

As she stalked into the room, I smiled at her.

Her eyes narrowed, and she halted only feet from me. Not close enough. I needed her closer.

“Are our birds still flying free?” I asked.

If she’d been a Dragon, she would have sprouted talons. I sensed the rage seething within her.

“Did you tell the Dragon where we are?” she asked.

I was expecting that question, but no way would I answer it. Instead, I raised my chin and shrugged.

Her eyes turned incandescent, and she lifted raised hands that glowed red. I braced myself, spreading my weakened energy around me, deflecting her flood. Or most of it, anyway.

“He’s learned to build a decent shield,” Finn said.

Isobel’s eyes flared crimson. “For all the good it will do him.” Then, she aimed for the collar.

The collar bypassed any attempt on my part to shield. I was, however, able to blunt the pain spreading along the vicious tendrils into my mind. Still, the body slump, and the accompanying moan, were only half-feigned.

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