Page 85 of A Rift in the House of Bruin

Hunter’s voice was soft and fleeting. I turned in every direction, but there was nothing—no shape, no light—just an endless void pressing in. Darkness surrounded me.

“Hunter?” I called out. “Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“I don’t have enough energy to project imagery. I wanted to say goodbye. The full moon is…” His voice faded like a dying flame.

Panic surged through me. “Wait… Hunter, I can’t hear you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m having trouble maintaining the connection. I want you to know, I spent every day wishing we’d had more time together. The Divine took you from me before I got the chance to show you how much I could love you.”

“Please don’t give up, Hunter. There’s still time.”

“I willfind you in our next life. Maybe then?—”

I jolted awake. The bright morning sun accosted my eyes as Hunter’s dream slipped from my memory.

Mirabelle returned moments later, exactly as she’d promised. This time with a hot breakfast in hand and a mauve-toned gown draped over her arm—leaving me no time to wallow in Hunter’s final goodbye. I comforted myself with the notion that if I were to die alongside him, at least we’d have time in whatever afterlife awaited us.

The smell of eggs and fresh salmonberries had my belly grumbling with hunger pangs, but was I hungry enough to risk it?

Pushing the food around the plate, I contemplated whether or not it had been tampered with.

“My Lady, I assure you the food is safe. I gathered it from the cook myself. Please—eat.”

I sighed and gave her a small smile. “Was I that obvious?” I took a bite, trying my best not to think the worst. “Forgive my misgivings. Thank you for the warm meal. Were you able to destroy the mirror?”

She nodded, a smile creeping across her face. “It is done.”

Relief washed over me, knowing Gwen wouldn’t be able to access the portal in an attempt to save me, and find herself tangled in Johans talons.

Mirabelle fussed over my hair while I ate, brushing it out before curling it into soft waves. Piece by piece, she worked tirelessly to pin it into an elaborate style atop my head.

“Why do I need to be dolled up if he’s going to execute me?”

“My Lady, I wouldn’t assume anything when it comes to Johan’s motives.” She pulled me from the vanity. “Come on—we need to get you into this dress before he arrives.”

Fear thickened the air around me, suffocating me in anticipation. He was on his way. The food in my belly fought to stay down. The mere mention of his name had my skin crawling. It was time to play the game. I was about to face my nemesis.

“My Lady? Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, I… I’m just nervous.”

“Take a breath. You’re a cunning young woman. All you have to do is play by his rules.”

“It’s his rules I’m afraid of.”

The gown was simple, yet stunning. Embroidered along the hemline were delicate songbirds perched happily amongst barren branches. The thin, silky fabric clung to my curves, while the obscenely plunging neckline left me feeling dangerously exposed.

“This color?—”

Johan burst through the door, stopping Mirabelle dead in her tracks. Every hair on my body stood on edge. The grimy smile on his face quickly morphed into a scowl.

“Why are you still here?” he barked at her.

“My Lord,” she bowed, and I quickly followed suit. “Forgive me. I… I was making sure she looked perfect.”

“Leave us!”

“Yes, my Lord.” Mirabelle didn’t argue. She scurried out of the room, leaving me alone with the vulture.

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