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An overwhelming sense of despair weighed her down. She kicked off her shoes and ran. She pushed past judgmental eyes, feeling like her sanity was slipping away. Niles had won—well and truly. There was nothing left in her life but pain. He wasn’t even here, and he’d won.
“Nova!” Leaf bellowed behind her, but she blindly ran, ducking through the exit and into a hallway of glowing branches she once thought were magical. Now, she only noticed sharp twigs and crushed leaves that smelled moldy. She reached a curtain leading to one of the spiral staircases when he caught up to her. His big hand landed on her shoulder and spun her around. “Nova, stop. It’s not safe for you to be on your own. Let me—”
She slapped his face.
“Safe?” She shoved him hard. “With you when you act like an angry ape?”
His expression darkened, and he pointed in the direction he’d come from. “He had no right to steal your kisses when they belong to me.”
“¡Ay, pobrecito! ¿Piensas que eres tan poderoso? ¡Hoja de los Guardianes, lo que puede hacer todo! Pues escúchame bien. No quiero ir contigo. No quiero tu ayuda. No quiero tus besos. Solo quiero que me dejes en paz.”
He looked at her in abject horror, helpless to understand her rage.
“Please,” he begged, eyes wide. “I don’t understand.”
“Then allow me to translate so it’s crystal clear.” All emotion leaked from her tone. What came out was cold, heartless, and bitter. “You poor baby. You think you’re so powerful? Leaf of the Guardians, who can do anything. Well, listen to me good. I don’t want to go with you. I don’t want your help. I don’t want your kisses. I only want you to leave me alone.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes. “Don’t leave.”
He looked so much like Jace at that moment. A sob tore from the tight center of her chest. She covered her mouth, but her shoulders convulsed as her pain demanded release.
“You have every right to be furious at me.” His deep voice pitched low. “I have used you. I have been rude to you. And I have kept the truth from you.”
She walked toward the glowing vines hiding the staircase.
“For Crimson’s sake, Nova. Let me explain.”
Time stopped. That word became the beating of her heart.
Crimson.
Crimson.
Crimson.
“What did you say?” She whirled to face him. Guilt flashed in his eyes, and she couldn’t comprehend. Couldn’t attempt to revive that hope because she’d been crushed so many times.
I have kept the truth from you.
He stepped forward, reaching out. She stepped away, her back brushing the curtain.
“Don’t,” she sobbed. “Don’t play with my heart. It won’t survive.”
His brows lifted in the middle, and he swallowed. “You said he called you Estrella. Last night, while reading Crimson’s journals, I found your name.”
“Crimson?” she rasped, confused. “As in… Jackson Crimson?MyJackson Crimson. My Jace?”
Leaf nodded cautiously, taking another step closer. “I’ve been reading his journals.”
“But… how? Jace never kept journals.”
“Have you not heard of the Order’s founder?” Another step closer.
She should leave now. She should duck through the curtain and never speak to this manipulating, warped copy of the man she once knew. Except too many things weren’t adding up. Leaf appeared as lost and forlorn as she was. Was he a liar, a cruel trickster like her brother, or was this something else?
“Founder of what?” she gasped.
“Shit,” he muttered, shaking his head. “You’ve never heard fae cursing his name?”
