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 forests slowly 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 anever-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 attention to 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.
She glanced at them, then back at him. “What is this?”
She wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d ever get another gift from him. Not after everything.
He confirmed her suspicions moments later when he handed her the box.
“They’re earpieces. They aren’t detectable by scanners, and the embedded microphones will allow me to hear everything that’s happening inside.”
His unspoken words were so loud that it was like he shouted them.So don’t try anything, because I’ll be listening.
Between the earrings and the tracking bracelet, it was almost too much. Too many reminders of her betrayal. Too many knives digging into her heart at the same time.
This was no way to live, yet what choice did she have?
Pressure built behind her eyes, but she refused to let the tears fall.
Once, Ryker had trusted her. He’d even loved her. And now, he was treating her like nothing more than a tool.