Chapter One
Josh
You’re the most like me.
Mom’s sickening whisper swirls in my head. I run, my heart pumping wildly with denial and fear. The wildfire casts an eerie orange glow around the nighttime forest. The acrid smell of burning wood stings my nose. I look in every direction, quickly scanning the area for the log cabin where Mom took my older brother. If he hadn’t fought so hard, she would’ve grabbed me and my twin brother Bryce, too. I have to do my part. Save Ares. And to prove to everyone,especially her, that I’m nothing like her.
Ares, I’m coming!
In a small clearing ahead stands a dilapidated cabin. The door sits skewed, not fitting the frame correctly. The big hinges are covered with thick rust. I can see Ares tied to a chair through the broken window. He’s slumped, his head hanging limply.
Drugged. Mom loves to drug people. She gave us tainted cookies. She probably fed more of them to Ares to make him malleable.
I dash forward, ready to pull him out. I might be younger and smaller, but I can help.
Suddenly, arms wrap around me from behind, trapping me. I twist around. “Let go!”
“My love, stop. For your own good.” Mom’s voice is soft and sweet, her breath brushing over my ear like a feather.
A chill spreads over me, fear keeping me immobile.
“Who do you think you are? A savior?” Amusement brightens her tone. “You aren’t like Bryce. He’s too obedient to know what’s good for him. But you?You’re special.”
“N-n-no.” I barely manage to push the word out.
She gives a thoughtful hum, still holding me tightly from behind. I twist and kick, but can’t get her to let go.
My eyes dart to the cabin. The fire’s too close, the flames licking at the cabin walls greedily. Ares is going to burn to death.
Urgency hammers in my heart. I double my efforts to struggle out of her hold, but she’s like one of those huge snakes.
“He’s going to die!” I scream. “We have to save him!”
“If he dies, he dies. That’s just his fate.”
Her bland reaction makes my stomach clench. “What’swrongwith you? Let mego!”
“No. I’m not letting you throw away your life like that. You know why?” She sighs softly. “Because you’respecial.”
My skin crawls. I don’t want to hear her praise.No, no, no. Don’t say it, don’t say it. I try to voice the words, but my throat is too tight.
“Ares is too much like your father. Too rigid, acting like the world’s weight rests on his shoulders. Bryce is too much of a good boy. Overly sentimental. Soft-hearted. But you? You’re nothing like them.” She tightens her arms, pulling me even closer. I can hardly breathe. “You and I, Josh. We aren’t afraid of doing what must be done. We’ll go the distance. Together. I recognized your potential when you were just a baby. And I plan to hone you until you can fully realize your promise. You’re most like me—the best of my children, the one I’mmostproud of.” She spins me around, holding my face between her strong, hot palms and forcing me to look into her glowing blue eyes.
A deafening crash jolts me out of my daze as the cabin wall in the back collapses. “Ares, no!”
The scream tears from my throat. She cocks an eyebrow as she glances at the fire…slightly distracted. I shove away with a burst of strength and lunge forward. “Ares!” The roof starts to sag. Heat sears my skin, my mouth dry. Tears burn my eyes.
Then the entire structure caves in with a thunderous boom, creating a burst of flame and heat spreading all over the area.
“You can’t run from your destiny, Joshua Huxley.You are my son!Zoe Dunkel’s son! My blood flows in your veins, thicker than any of your brothers’!”
No, no, no—
I spin around, clenching my hand around her neck to stop the flow of her words. I shove her down, and I’m on her. I raise my fist. Her icy blue gaze slides to it, to the Japanese sashimi knife in my grip. A corner of her mouth tilts with satisfaction, and the air in my lungs freezes. Terror knots my throat at the realization that I’m only focused on my fury, reactingjust like Mom—
Suddenly, my vision dims.
I blink. Pitch darkness. No fire. Just cold air cooling the clammy coat of sweat on my body. I drop my head into my hands, pressing the heels into my eyes. They come away wet.
