His sister.
That was the leash that tethered him to Ashton all these years. That was the control.
And I was going to kill Ashton for it.
Every part of me was burning with it—rage, sorrow, vengeance.
He slid down the wall, breath shallow, like even the act of remembering had gutted him.
“I tried to fight it,” he murmured. “I tried. I sat in that room and I closed my eyes. I’m supposed to be so strong. But she was screaming, and I—I couldn’t lose her again. Not her. Not you.”
I crouched beside him.
“You haven’t lost me.”
His eyes darted to mine—wild, uncertain.
“But I will,” he whispered. “I can feel it. You’re going to leave me behind.”
I didn’t speak.
I couldn’t lie to him.
He looked down, fingers curling against the stone floor.
“That’s what I deserve.”
“No,” I said, fiercely. “What you deserve is tochoose.Not to be dragged by chains forged by tyrants! You were forced into this, Thorne. And I won’t let them force you anymore.”
“I’m too far gone,” he said. “You don’t see it. But I can feel the edge, Elira. One order, one command, and I’ll—”
“Then come with me.”
He blinked.
I reached for his hand.
“Come with me now.”
But he didn’t move.
His breathing hitched. His fingers tightened—but didn’t reach back.
His head shook, once, twice. “If I follow you now, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know who I am.”
“I do,” I said. “You’re the one who protected me back in Varrowmere – the one who kept me safe from Ashton. You saved my life! And that man—he’s still in there.”
And for one heartbeat, his eyes cleared again.
Green.
Real.
“Run,” he whispered. “Now. Before I can’t let you.”
I ran. And for the first time, I didn’t look back.
Chapter 42
