“You’re right. My brain was poisoned,” Blake replied, to which Josiah did a double take. “But not by anyone in the outside world. My brain was poisoned within these walls.” He pulled down the collar of his shirt, revealing his brand. “Just like yours was.”
Josiah gaped, his hold on Ariana loosening. It was only a little, but it was enough.
She knew it, too.
Just like I trained her, she widened her stance and bent her knees slightly, then slammed her elbow directly into Josiah’s abdomen.
He bellowed out, loosening his hold on her even more. Ariana used his momentary vulnerability to her advantage and twisted hard, driving her knee into his groin.
He howled, releasing her from his grip, the knife clattering to the floor. Ariana dove for it, wrapping her fingers around the handle. Then she spun back toward him and, without hesitation, buried it straight into his chest.
The anguished cry that tore from him barely sounded human. Blood spread rapidly across his white shirt as he collapsed onto the altar steps. Women screamed. Some ran. Others froze. But Ariana was already moving toward me.
Her hands shook violently as she cut through the restraints binding my wrists and ankles.
The second my limbs were free, I yanked the gag from my mouth and surged to my feet, kissing her hard enough to taste the salt and relief between us. For one blissful second, nothing else existed. Just her and this love I never thought I’d find. Didn’t think I deserved.
Until she made me believe I did.
She tore her lips away, briefly touching her forehead to mine.
“Sorry I’m late,” I exhaled, savoring in her warmth.
“I knew you’d come.”
“Always.” I touched my hand to her cheek. “I’ll always come for you.”
She fluttered her eyes closed, basking in my assurance before pulling back. As she did, my eyes landed on another familiar face.
Sarah.
Emotion lodged in my throat, making it hard to breathe. God, she looked so much like Amber. Except for her eyes. She had my eyes. I had no idea if she knew who I was. But based on the way she looked at me, she knew something.
“I’m not sure what you know,” I began, my voice hoarse.
But before I could finish the thought, she wrapped her arms around me, squeezing tight.
I swallowed down the emotion welling in my chest, blinking back my tears as I touched a hand to her back and pulled her close.
Pulled my daughter close.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No. Thank you,” I replied through the ache in my throat as I held my daughter for the second time in my life.
But then a pained scream tore through the space, and I quickly dropped my hold on Sarah.
“Henry! Look out!” Blake called as I whirled around.
And when I did, I came face to face with Abigail, the same girl who’d played me earlier. Who made me think she was a victim.
And she was.
Just not in the sense I thought.
Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes full of conviction as she tightened her grip on the gun Blake had kicked to the altar.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as she stepped toward me, the gun aimed it directly at me.
