Chapter 4

Veronica POV

I snuggled deeper into the worn-out mattress, my eyes tired and my head still reeling from my discovery. But the silence around me made it impossible for me to tune them out. I just wanted to scream until my throat was raw, until I could feel no more. Everything hurt.

“Roni,” Ginny whispered, her hand patting my back. “You scared the seven hells out of me.”

Groaning, I scooted over, giving her space to climb into bed with me. It was against the rules for captives to socialise, but we always found our way to each other’s beds after lights out and the guards’ final rounds. This was our ritual every night. But tonight, I didn’t want company. I just wanted to drown in my sorrow.

“Had fun?” she teased, punching my arm lightly. She didn’t wait for my reply. “I thought you wouldn’t make it back before curfew. I was already sizing up old wretched Darney. He was so eager, I almost gagged.” 

She sighed dreamily. “I can’t wait for the bells to announce their death. I can almost hear it, you know. They had it coming. You did good. Your Dever and sweet boy would be so proud of you.”

A sob caught in my throat. I fought it back, not ready to let it out. I felt Ginny go still behind me before she flipped me onto my back.

“Roni? What’s wrong?” Her voice was more concerned than scared. I opened my mouth, but the tears came spilling out.

She pulled me into her arms, my face buried in her chest. That only made my sobs worse, soaking her gown. After what felt like forever, my sobs faded into hiccups. We stayed like that, her arms around me, until my breathing calmed.

“I—I…” I began, but she pressed a finger to my lips.

“Not here,” she whispered fiercely, crawling out of my bed. “Come with me.”

I followed her lead and tiptoed out of the room, trying hard not to make a sound. We shared the room with fifteen other captives, all of whom were friendly with us. But you never knew who might be spying for the brothers. Ginny led me around a corner to a wooden door that opened to the night. The cool air hit me, and I inhaled greedily.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” I asked, feeling a little hurt. I thought we shared everything.

She stopped under a tree, a good distance away from the building. The shadows from the branches hid us from view.

“A girl is allowed to have her secret,” she laughed, stopping when she realized I wasn’t joining in. “I was waiting for the right time, Roni, and you proved yourself today. Tell me what happened up there.”

I recanted everything that happened, omitting nothing. An awkward silence settled around us as I finished my tale. I bit my fingers nervously, waiting for her to say something.

“I guess I haven't been the only one keeping secrets,” she said at last, her tone sharp. “A healer, hmm?”

“N–not anymore,” I stuttered, lowering my gaze. “I lost my powers along with my wolf after the incident. I just–it was something I wasn't willing to share yet.”

“Well, I guess this even it out,” she dismissed, taking a step back. “What do you plan to do now? Heal the brothers?”

“I can’t. No power.”

“And if you did?”

Something in her voice made my stomach twist. I looked up. Her eyes locked on mine. There was something dark within them. Something I couldn't name.

“I wouldn’t heal them, even if I had my powers,” I said bitterly, angry at her for thinking I would. “They killed my child.” 

Her shoulders slumped, and instantly, shame rose from within, tainting my cheeks. She looked scared… like she was scared of me.

“Ginny. You know I would never betray you. Never.”

 She nodded. 

“We just need a new plan, and I need your help. I can’t do this alone. We just have to distract the brothers long enough for them to claim Silverclaw, and then we can kill them just–”

The sound of footsteps approaching cut my words and pushed us further into the shadows. My heart pounded loudly in my ears. It grew nearer and stopped.

“If it comes any closer, you run,” Ginny breathed, her face barely inches from mine..

I nodded into the dark. The footsteps resumed, but thankfully, they moved away and soon faded into the night.

“Let’s go back,” I whispered, fear gnawing at my insides. “I don’t want to be caught out here with you. It’s too dangerous.”

“No,” Ginny grabbed my arm. “We’re safe here.”

“What if he comes back? I already have a target on my back. I don’t want that for you. I don’t want our association to be known.”

“I can take care of myself. Listen– we’ve to strike again. And soon. It’s only a matter of time before they figure out what you were really doing up there today. We can’t take that risk. You’ve to forfeit your plan to get back at Dever…”

I yanked my hand out of her grip.

“For now. Until we’ve dealt with the Gray brothers. Then, we can take care of Dever. I promise. Tomorrow you return to their quarters and finish the job.”

“No,” I hissed. “That’s suicide. I barely got out alive today. One came at me and almost strangled me. The only thing that saved me was my usefulness to them. I make one wrong move, and I might as well wish myself dead. We just have to be smart and patient. What we need is a new plan.”

Her eyes glinted in the moonlight, wide with frustration. “Then what, Roni? How long do we wait? Until you find your powers? Until we’re both dead?” 

“No. Just give me time to think of something.”

She turned around and walked back to the building, leaving me to follow from a distance. 

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The screams yanked me from my sleep.

My eyes opened just in time to see a guard point at me. “That’s her!”

Hands grabbed me, dragging me from the bed. My gown tangled around my legs as I hit the floor. Someone screamed right into my ear, removing the last dregs of sleep from my head. What was happening?

“Let me go!” I kicked out, catching someone in the shin. The guards didn’t slow down.

As they pulled me out, I caught sight of Ginny.

She was speaking to a guard. She looked nervous, but her face bent over his, hiding what she was saying. Her hands were gesturing fast. Her head snapped up, and she saw me watching. Her lips moved. 

Sorry.

The room spun. My body felt ice-cold instantly.

She did this.

“No!” I shrieked, thrashing harder. My foot slammed into a guard’s knee. He groaned and struck me across the face, splitting my lips. My head fell to the side.

A figure darted from the shadows. He stood in front, blocking the guard. He was wearing no uniform. “Stop!” he barked. “You’re hurting her—”

The guard who stood behind moved up and smashed his fist into the intruder’s face. The young man crumpled. Two more piled on, kicking him, beating him down. His groans echoed as I was dragged away.

I sobbed, fighting every step, but they didn’t stop. The guards pulled harder, bruising every part of my body exposed as they dragged me up the hill. 

Above my screaming, I heard the sounds of keys clanging and a door creaking open.

“Pig,” one spat as they threw me inside.

The door slammed shut, sealing me in the dark.