Chapter 25 #4
“When you do this... you’ll find us one day.
The spell says whoever’s cursed will have to be reborn in the same bloodline…
you’ll know where to look. Stay with Cade’s family and send Bronwyn with mine.
I’m sure she’ll agree.” Bridget reached out and grabbed his cold hands.
“And when we see you again, you’ll tell us everything.
We’ll have a head start. Vega will be trapped in another realm.
We’ll have all the time in the world to figure out how to get rid of her once and for all.
You’ll find me, find us, and then tell us everything. Promise me.”
Stellan’s tortured gaze remained unsure.
“Please,” Bridget begged. “Promise me.”
After a long moment, Stellan closed his eyes. Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms. “I promise.”
Bridget quickly squeezed him back before she knelt down to grab the Tuathan stone from the hard cell ground. “Keep this safe until we figure out how to use it.”
Not looking at her, Stellan put the stone in his pocket.
“Don’t let Cade watch the execution,” Bridget requested quietly. “And tell him that I’m sorry. And that I love him.”
It was all she could manage to get out. If she thought about how she wouldn’t get to see him again or say goodbye… then she wouldn’t make it out of the cell in one piece. She wouldn’t be able to face Vega and accomplish what needed to be done.
With a quick poof, Stellan appeared on the other side of the cell bars. He slowly backed down the hallway, keeping his eyes on her. “I’ll do my best.”
Once he was out of sight, Bridget sank to her knees. The plan was dangerous, and would cost Stellan dearly, but it had to work. And knowing that there was a plan in place to save Cade made the thought of facing Vega one last time a little easier.
Minutes, or hours, passed before the warden appeared again.
Hardly able to stay upright, Bridget barely registered her surroundings as he led her to Vega.
Only when cool night air hit her face did she realize where she was being taken.
The thrones and the gate to the human realm buzzed as they arrived, like even the very earth knew a large amount of magic was about to be unleashed.
As she was shoved in front of Vega, a familiar shiver vibrated over Bridget’s skin.
She turned to the hills behind the palace, where she knew she would find Cade.
Of course he was here, despite her request. If the roles were reversed, she wouldn’t have stayed away either.
Even from far away, she could tell what he was thinking.
Bridget shook her head. He couldn’t interfere.
Not now. Not if they wanted a chance. She mouthed I love you. She hoped he saw it.
“Is there anything you’d like to say to me?” Vega asked. Somehow, her ceremonial mask was even worse than the one she usually wore.
Bridget glared at her. “Just get on with it.”
The blood red mask seemed to glare at her. “Bring it forward.”
The chest from Vega’s room was dropped in front of Bridget. The chest she knew was now empty. She couldn’t stop a tiny smile from forming on her lips.
The Sanguis surrounding her began to chant.
A slow, deafening build. The reality of what was about to happen suddenly hit her.
Hands trembling, Bridget kept her eyes glued to the bottom hem of Vega’s gown so she wouldn’t do anything stupid like try to run away.
She thought of Cade, and the time he’d shown her around Cavamyne before war tarnished every single moment…
then of her sister, swimming in the lake when they were ten.
The only thing they cared about then was finding peace together one day. Two perfect memories. Two perfect days.
Vega raised her knife.
Then, with one quick blow, it struck Bridget’s heart.
Pain like she’d never known radiated throughout Bridget’s body. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t even blink as Vega left the knife in her chest, letting her bleed out slowly. Falling forward, her head struck the ground and rattled her teeth.
The world began to fade.
With one of her metal claws, Vega sliced her left index finger.
Blood dripped onto the engraved heart centered on the chest’s top.
Seconds later, it popped open. Through blurry vision, Bridget stared at the identical wound on her own hand.
Spelling objects with her own blood had always been one of Vega’s favorite tricks. It guaranteed only she could use them.
Or someone that happened to share her blood.
A horrible scream pierced the air.
“WHERE IS IT?”
In a rage, Vega thrust off her mask, as if doing so would allow her to see the crown back in its box.
When she still couldn’t find it, she grabbed Bridget by the neck.
The knife dislodged from her chest as she was pulled upward.
Hot liquid poured out of the center of her body, filling every cavity inside and out. Darkness was a breath away.
“What did you do?” Vega snarled.
There was no more strength left in her body for a reply. Weakly, Bridget smirked as she stared into the Druid’s furious, accusatory eyes.
The eyes of her sister.
Her own eyes. The only identical trait they shared.
And for the first time since they were six, Bridget swore she saw fear.