Page 115 of Vengeance of the Gods

He liked Halo, saw a piece of himself—the unwanted kid he’d once been—inside him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t betray Bridger.

Betrayal could come from anyone. Bridger knew that better than most.

Halo didn’t hesitate to answer. “I’ve been out looking for you. When Meyer said you’d decided to stay with the rebels, he wouldn’t tell me where you were.” He wasn’t stumbling over his words like he did when he was nervous or lying. “Is it true? You’re with the rebels?” he asked, his eyes void of any distinct emotion.

“I’m with Vega.”

Vega.

“Fuck!” He finally realized his shields were up. They’d been up this whole time, and he was just now paying attention to it.

Halo jumped, reaching for a dagger strapped at his side. “What?!”

Bridger ignored him, opening his shields. “Vega…” He stood locked in place, waiting to hear her reply. “I…” He started to apologize. “They’re all dead.”

He started to panic as the seconds ticked by without a response. “Vega,” he said with an urgent plea.

The door was open and unlocked. She should be able to hear him, should be able to respond.

“Are you okay?” Halo asked, taking a step towards Bridger.

“Yes, no. I don’t know. Vega and I can talk to each other… internally.” Because what other way was he supposed to explain it? “She’s not responding.”

He reached for her again, this time attempting to slip behind her eyes to see where she was—to see if she was okay.

The door was open, but her mental shields were locked tight. Why? What was she trying to keep out? “Shit. She’s at the border of Demuto and Pax right now, meeting with their leader.”

“Demuto has a… leader?” Halo asked, stunned.

Before he could get Halo up to speed, Bridger felt the shift in the room’s temperature, his spine going stiff in warning.

He spun around to find Marlena leaning against the wall only a few feet away, inspecting her nails. She was covered in blood, dressed like Bridger hadn’t seen her in years. Her curves were hugged by the well-fitting material of Tolevarre’s best fighting gear, daggers lining every holster on her chest and a sword strapped to her back.

“You and Vega are telepathic. Fascinating,” she hummed, sounding sincerely interested. “Tell her I said hello, would you?” Marlena fluttered her fingers in a delicate hello and pushed herself off the wall.

Bridger said nothing, glaring while fantasizing about all the ways he should be able to kill her.

“Cat got your—” She held her finger up, chuckling to herself. “Sorry, Kitten got your tongue?” Marlena acted as if she might choke on the nickname. “You betray me and then have nothing to say for yourself?” Faking a sigh, she took another step towards Bridger. “At least I let you dig your own grave years ago. When the time comes, I’ll bury you in here with the people you let die.”

“Do you like hearing yourself speak? Is that it?” His tone held no humor—this wasn’t the normal joking, ready-to-get-under-Marlena’s-skin type of question Bridger was usually a fan of.

Marlena’s eye twitched at his response, forcing Bridger’s mouth to tick into a small smile.

“Bridger, De⁠—”

The sound of Vega’s voice flooded Bridger’s body with relief. “Marlena’s here,” he cut her off.

The sound of Vega’s inhale echoed in his mind. “Get out of there,” she pleaded. The desperation in her voice almost made him listen, but he wouldn’t run from Marlena. Never again.

“She can’t hurt me. I need a minute,” he told Vega.

“I take it you didn’t like my handiwork?” Marlena faked a deep pout. “I told Meyer to handle this for me, but apparently he’s too busy dealing with defectors fleeing Fortis.” She eyed him. “You’ve caused quite the uproar.”

More soldiers were coming, meaning Marlena’s numbers continued to drop.

“When will you stop killing people?” Bridger spat.

“Never.” She smiled a real fucking smile—one he remembered seeing her do when they were young, when she might have actually been happy. “I will continue to wipe this world clean of the people who defy me.”