The gentle pitter-patter of an autumnal rain greeted her as she stepped outside. The moon’s silver light was barely visible through the clouds. A chill in the air spoke to the coming winter.
She inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh forest air.
Not too bad for a final night alive.
She gripped the wooden railing, looking out over the forest from the wooden porch. Even though this rain was nothing like the raging storm River had called to destroy Chavin, Brynleigh’s childhood home, it still drew forth memories of that fateful night.
Her lungs burned at the memory of nearly drowning. Her heart ached as she recalled the loss of her family.
Running her fingers over her necklace, Brynleigh traced the individual loops. Thankfully, it had survived her time in the dungeon—the one Ryker called The Pit.
Brynleigh didn’t move until Ryker strode past her into the rain. He prowled through the trees like a predator, and she trailed him without a word.
They got in the car, buckled in, and Ryker asked for Jelisette’s address. She gave it to him, and he punched it into the GPS.
Once the map came online, he navigated the vehicle out of the woods.
Silence fell upon them once more.
The crunch of gravel beneath the tires echoed the rain pelting the windshield, the strange symphony keeping Brynleigh company as she stared out the streaky window. Seemingly endless forestsslowly gave way to fields. They passed a few cars, but for the most part, the road was empty.
And then she saw them.
The glowing triple arches that gave Golden City its name rose in the distance. They shone like beacons, their light cutting through the darkness of the cloudy night.
Cold fear settled deep within her, and she suddenly wished she’d had more blood. Her fangs ached. Her shadows sang a worrisome song of lament.
Shuddering, she drew her legs onto the seat, wrapped her arms around them, and rested her chin on her knees.
More than ever before, Brynleigh was convinced the gilded metropolis was a place of death.
No wonder the rebels took such great offense to the Representatives and their rule. Not having wanted to spiral into what threatened to be a never-ending circle of doubt and fear, Brynleigh hadn’t permitted herself to think about the Black Night earlier. Now, her mind wandered in that direction.
On the surface, the rebels’ cause was just.
The Representatives were a problem. They held an unfair amount of power, which allowed them to control everyone and everything. She even understood Jelisette’s involvement in the movement.
If Ryker’s sources were right and a Representative had killed the vampire’s Bound Partner, then she had ample reason to hate the ruling class.
But Brynleigh still had so many questions.
Why had her Maker abandoned her? Why had Jelisette hidden her Binding? Why had the rebels attacked the Choosing? And perhaps most importantly, why had Jelisette kept so many secrets from Brynleigh?
These were all questions she would have to ponder… if she survived tonight.
The closer they got to the city, the less Brynleigh paid attentionto what was happening outside. She focused everything she had on staying alive.
When the automated voice providing directions informed them they were a few minutes out, Ryker pulled the car into a dark, vacant lot and parked.
The silence, which had almost felt natural, took on an oppressive air. The car was suddenly too small, the rain too loud, Brynleigh’s heartbeats too thunderous. Even the captain’s steady breaths were like gusts of wind in her ears.
During moments like these, Brynleigh wished she was a much older vampire, one who was more detached from her mortal emotions. If she could shut down her frustration and the stress that these loud noises created, that would be fucking fantastic.
But wishes were for people who weren’t broken, so she didn’t even bother. Besides, if the past few weeks of her life were any indication, she wasn’t certain Isvana would hear her pleas.
Brynleigh kept her arms wrapped around her legs as the fae captain reached into the center console. He withdrew a small black velvet box. Popping it open, he tilted it towards her.
Curiosity had Brynleigh canting her head just enough to peer into the box, a frown pulling at her lips. Two diamond earrings rested in a bed of ivory.