No.
“My parents told me they’ve been trying to find him for years,” Jordan said. “Apparently they’ve known all along that his suicide wasn’t real, but they didn’t want to tell me because they knew how upset I’d be. I was so angry with them, but they said that no matter how hard they looked and how close they’d come, they’ve never managed to find him. I would’ve been devastated if I’d known he was out there and I couldn’t contact him. They did the right thing.”
No. Wrong. Stop.
“But then Aven made me an offer,” Jordan continued. “He said he’d help me find Luka if I did something for him first. I had to help him get to Meya. All I had to do was use my gift to hide him and Calista so we could all slip through the doorway when you opened it. It was almost too easy to orchestrate everything, especially after I suggested we use Skyla’s ability to help us. She took on Zain’s appearance to get you going, and then she made herself look like me to make sure you opened the door and came through. It was perfect.”
Alex struggled to draw breath into her lungs.
“I’m sorry, Alex,” he continued. “I know how important you thought it was to keep him away. But Kyia and Zain and Prince Roka, they all lied to us. It wasn’t Aven who murdered those humans and tried to steal the throne—it was Roka. He framed Aven, making it look like he was innocent, while Aven took the fall and the banishment for his brother’s actions. Aven’s the victim here, Alex.”
Try convincing Skyla of that, she thought.
There was no way the Jordan they knew and loved would fall for such a fictitious story. And he would never refer to Aven as a ‘victim’, not after everything the Meyarin had done.
Alex turned to look at Aven with hate-filled eyes. “That’s not Jordan talking. My friend would never believe the words coming out of his mouth.”
“Finish your recount, Jordan,” Aven ordered, ignoring Alex.
When she turned back to Jordan, she found him looking at her with eyes full of hurt.
“It is me, Alex,” he whispered. “I’m still me. Aven Claimed me for my own protection. It’ll help him keep me safe while he saves Meya from its evil rulers. And after that, we’re going to search for Luka together. A brother for a brother, that was our agreement.”
Alex couldn’t accept his words.
“Your agreement?” she repeated, despite her better judgement.
“Jordan,” Aven interrupted. “Answer truthfully. Did I offer to Claim you?”
Jordan hesitated, but then he whispered a quiet, “No.”
Alex’s blood turned to ice.
“Did I Claim you against your will?” Aven pressed.
Jordan’s answer was even quieter this time. “No.”
She felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her windpipe.
Aven grinned victoriously and asked his final question. “Then tell us, Jordan, how did you come to be in my service?”
Jordan’s vibrant blue eyes stared straight at Alex when he said, “I asked Aven to Claim me. It was my idea. And I don’t regret it.”
NO!
Alex felt as if the ground had been pulled out from underneath her. “No! NO!” she screamed out loud, adding to the horrified sounds coming from D.C. and Bear. She couldn’t keep the tears from welling in her eyes as she begged, “Tell me it’s not true. Please, Jordan. Tell me it’s not true!”
“It’s for the best, Alex,” he said, his voice anguished. “You’ll see.”
She had to hold back a sob at his brainwashed words. Where was her cocky, overprotective best friend? Where was the Jordan she knew—the one who would never have surrendered to Aven, let alone asked for a life of controlled servitude?
“Jordan,” Alex whimpered, unable to say more.
“Alex,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”
His apology broke her. Tears poured down her face, dripping down her cheeks and landing on the snow-covered ground, melting the ice as her blood remained frozen in her veins.
Her grief nearly brought her to her knees, but she knew that she had to keep it together and protect her friends until help arrived. Darrius might not be able to step through the Library into Meya, but she had to hope he’d find another way to summon reinforcements.
“As touching as this is, it’s time for us to leave. I have a rebellion to lead.”
Alex snapped her head up at Aven’s words and croaked out, “Over my dead body.”
He smirked at her. “That’s one thing we agree upon.”
She wiped a shaky hand across her eyes, preparing herself for what she knew would be her final battle with the Meyarin. He no longer needed her, so he would have no problem killing her.
Just like Skyla.
Alex swallowed back fresh tears as the shock of such a pointless murder hit her anew.
Focus, she told herself. Grieve later. Focus now.
“Ready when you are, Aven.”
“You misunderstand me, Alexandra,” he said, his eyes glittering. “I’m not going to fight you.”
She frowned in bewilderment. Didn’t he want her dead?
“You seem confused,” Aven observed. “I have to admit, I do enjoy toying with you.”
At the look she shot him, he sighed mockingly.
“I can see you’re not in the mood for games, so we’ll end this quickly,” Aven said. Then he called, “Jordan?”
Her friend turned to look at Aven, and Alex wished she could run away and hide in the forest for the rest of her life just to avoid the pain she was currently feeling. But she would never leave D.C. and Bear, not when their lives could end like Skyla’s had at one word from Aven. Or two words, as the case may be, since they were the exact words he spoke to Jordan with his next command.
“Kill her.”
No.
of th em.
Twenty-Five
Jordan stepped forward at Aven’s order. Alex had been too focused on his face earlier to notice the cape he wore that concealed a sword belted to his waist. But she could see it clearly now, since Jordan had pulled it free.
“Don’t do this, Jordan,” Alex begged, stepping backwards as he continued to stalk towards her. “I won’t fight you.”
Her words meant nothing to him. His eyes were unfocused and his body obediently followed Aven’s orders. Alex knew exactly what that felt like—having no control, but being able to witness everything that was happening. More tears leaked out of her eyes at the thought of her friend trapped in his own mind while his body prepared to fight her, maybe even kill her.
“Do it now, Jordan,” Aven ordered louder. “I don’t have all day.”
“No, Jordan,” Alex said. “Don’t listen to him. Fight him!”
But her words were useless. Jordan’s eyes narrowed as he raised his sword a fraction and lunged towards her.
“No!” she cried, jumping out of the way. “Don’t!”
He came at her again, swiping his blade at her torso, and again she jumped away.
“I won’t fight you!” she repeated. “I won’t!”