Chapter 52 AURORA Do you believe me now ? I watched Dane take in the bleak reality of my childhood bedroom .


    Bare and cold , it made the parts of me that remembered the past want to break down .


    Run away .


    But I couldnt do that now .


    I had a mission .


    And I would never allow myself to be weak in front of Dane .


    His jaw set .


    Even the Reeds couldnt raise a child like this .


    I walked over to him and faced him .


    Walk over to the bed .


    Theres a loose brick on the wall three up and two over from where the bed touches the corner .


    If you move it , youll find a little space where I kept my treasures .


    I tried to remember what Id had stored back there on the night they poisoned me , killed my wolf , and set me up as bait for Dane .


    A few quartz crystals , an acorn , maybe a few coins will be in there .


    Dane gave me an unreadable look , then stalked past me to the corner Id indicated .


    There was a grinding sound as he pulled out the brick .


    I watched him , staying far back in the door so he couldnt use me of nting anything anywhere .


    Chapter 52 2/5 His back went rigid .


    When he pulled away , he hand a few small things in his hand .


    He opened his palm .


    Three quartz crystals , an acorn , and a few coins sat in his hand .


    Proof enough ? I asked cooly .


    Dane closed his fist around the treasures and squeezed .


    He shoved them into his pocket and whispered , Fuck .


    I dont know how I was expecting him to react , but that surprised me .


    He sounded … regretful ? Even if I proved to him Id never been a liar , I didnt actually expect him to ever feel bad about what hed done , how hed treated me .


    That just wasnt Dane .


    But when he looked up at me , there was definitely regret on his face .


    Aurora- There was a rumble , almost too low to hear .


    Clouds of dust shook loose from the ceiling and drifted toward the ground .


    Danes brows drew together , and he strode toward me .


    We need to leave .


    I turned to do exactly as hed said and walk out the door .


    But when I tried … I couldnt .


    The door was closed .


    Locked .


    The fear Id been fighting off since we got into this house started to rise up in a drowning tide .


    Chapter 52 This was the ce Id been trapped .


    This was the ce Id been abused .


    3/5 This was the ce where Id been convinced , more than once , I would never see the sun again .


    Danc ! But when I spun back to him , he was g gone .


    The room was no longer empty , either .


    No longer dusty and disused .


    There were nkets on the cot .


    A few books were stacked on the rickety table .


    The tiny dresser in one corner wasnt broken , but whole , with amp on top .


    It was the only light in the room .


    It looked exactly like it had thest time Id been here .


    The night they gave me to Dane .


    No ! I turned toward the door and beat my fists against it .


    But it was solid .


    Locked .


    Then shadows started seeping through it .


    I stumbled back .


    All of my growth and strength in thest few years were forgotten as the shadow formed into Esther and Waylon Reed .


    The shadows looked exactly like them , but colorless and gray .


    The shadow of Esther grinned at me .


    Tonights the night .


    Are you ready ? Chapter 52 1 I started to answer , but a voice cut me of Im ready , whispered another voice , 415 There was another shadow in this room .


    On the bed .


    One that looked just like me and spoke in my voice .


    You remember what to do ? Esther asked .


    She was excited .


    1 could tell from the way she stepped eagerly toward the studen version of myself and rubbed her hands in front of her .


    Its going to be very , very pleased .


    But you must always remember who you serve .


    The shadow me bowed my head , as if in reverent prayer , and whispered , I do .


    The shadow of Esther stepped forward once more .


    She held up a vial in her hand .


    Even as a shadow , the liquid in that vial swirled silvery .


    And what will you do , girl ? * The shadow me looked up .


    She was younger than I was now , and she wore a simple dress .


    She smirked .


    There was no mistaking it .


    The woman making that face was absolutely , positively , one hundred percent evil .


    I get him to leave his post .


    I seduce him .


    I bring him and Blue Ridge down .


    And will you ? No matter how long it takes ? Esther asked .


    The shadow me put a hand over her heart .


    No matter how long it takes .


    No matter if it kills us both .


    I will destroy Dane Montague .


    I swear it on the Nameless .