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“I woke you because I want you to see everything you’ve left behind,” Kyer said, timidly. “For you to have the chance to choose what to do with your life here on in.”

Draven was no longer tied to Valen. No longer served him. That gave him a choice—a concept so foreign it overwhelmed him more than every new sensation the Serpent was cursing him with.

But with or without those missing memories, he was no different than Valen’s First Incarnation. How could he be? Attempting to stop his father resulted in Caine’s death. It warped the Serpent into a Diseased soul. He’d damaged and hurt more people than he could remember, perhaps more than he knew.

He deserved all of the pain it caused him.

“One. Day,” Draven hissed through his teeth, arm trembling. “However long it’s been for you, that’s all it’s been for me. I was that man in your stories yesterday. I am still him today. Whatever it is you think I can give you doesn’t exist.” He turned around and collapsed against the wall. “There’s no point in looking. So just… leave me alone.”

Someone, most likely Kyer, took a step forward but came to a swift halt.

“There’s your answer,” Maude said under her breath. “This has gone on long enough.”

It stayed quiet for so long Draven thought they vanished without him noticing.

But through the dark, they eventually moved, dropping what sounded like a heavy bag.

“Supplies,” Kyer said, voice tense like he was disappointed. “You should be safe here for a little while, but if you do choose to reemerge into the light, I’d take it slow. After being trapped down here so long, it may be blinding.”

And then Draven was alone, with little more than a handful of shattered memories and an undead heart plagued by grief.

Chapter Five

“I’m not who you think I am.”

Neir didn’t budge. He knew she was full of shit, and she did too.

How could you be so careless, Lils? But Stalkers were never a problem in Reave, not since the earlier days of its conquest. The elite group was formed to track down souls not aligned with Valen’s vision, including those the shade of Lily’s. Formed in groups of threes, each was given one of the Vulpes’ blessings, granting this one the ability to change appearances. If he was here, then there would be two more nearby.

Why was he here? And where was his accomplice holding her in place?

Her body loosened, heart pinching with hope. She lifted her hands slightly before she was frozen again. Damn it! Why’d he drop me? The scent of lavender hit her. Not overwhelming, but noticeable. Neir grimaced, glancing over his shoulder then up above them.

Escence use overstimulated the senses of the user. Sights, sounds… Lily briefly followed his gaze to the air vent.

Smells.

She could escape if he let her go again. She had to be fast, but it would only take a single touch—the lightest brush of her finger against skin…

No… I can’t. I won’t. Lily couldn’t bring herself to use the Wraith. She promised herself she wouldn’t.

There had to be another way to get out of this.

“H—” She swallowed the fear creeping up her throat. “How are you so sure it’s me?”

Neir grinned wickedly. “I’ve perfected my craft,” he answered, angling closer to her, his face disappearing from sight. Beyond, she frantically searched for Xavier but couldn’t see him. “I’ve spent quite some time around a few Imordials. I know the feel of their aura on my skin, the taste of their scent at the back of my throat.”

Her stomach twisted as she felt his hot breath against her neck. Only Flares could sense other Flares, and it wasn’t through touch or smell. Escence user or not, his senses couldn’t be that heightened, could they?

“Flares maybe, but Imordials?” Lily laughed, her nervousness revealing more than she wanted. “Those you speak of are about as worthy of that title as I am.”

He pulled away from her, a humored smile crossing his face. He placed a hand on her thigh. “What are you doing here? Last I heard, Amalia took you in. This doesn’t seem like the sort of place she would send someone so valuable, even by a Flare as savage as the Gnaw.”

“Because I’m not the Wraith,” Lily bit.

Neir chuckled. “I know what I’ve found, but by all means, argue and deny if it helps you feel better.” His touch trailed up to her hip. “If you make a scene, I’ll rip the eyes out of that pretty little thing you came in with.”

Lavender filled her nose. The lapse in the binding came, and so did a burst of courage.