Chapter 14

14

"Not long enough" were the last words Vega heard Arlet speak before she was too far away to hear anything else.

Vega checked over her shoulder and took a tumble over a giant root. She collided with the dirt beneath her, the limited air from her constricted lungs whooshing through her lips.

She couldn't hear anything over the sound of her panting breaths and the heartbeat in her ears. Vega scrambled to her feet, and when she felt like she couldn't possibly run any further, she began to search for a downed tree to hide inside of.

After crawling into a log the size of a Volkswagen Bug, Vega hugged her knees against her chest, trying to keep the sound of her breathing low. She didn't have time to catch up with the knowledge that everything Arlet said was true. Vega was floored. The portal was real, and all of this was no longer some fairy tale that helped her escape the reality of her shitty life.

Vega really was being hunted by an evil sister who wanted her dead.

Her breathing didn't slow. Leaves rustled in the distance. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Vega didn't know the voice, but she did know it wasn't Bridger. This man's voice wasn't quite as deep and had a grit to it that didn't match Bridger's smooth tone—she'd remember that euphonious bass anywhere, even if her only reference until this moment was from her dreams.

Why is he here? What does he want from her? Fuck, you should have asked more questions, you idiot!

His footsteps got closer. "Save us a little time, Vega! It won't take long for Bridger to kill Arlet, and then it'll be two against one! And let's face it, you're useless right now." The crunching of leaves passed by the downed sequoia.

The idea of Arlet making it this far, this long, to die now sent Vega flying out of her hiding spot. What am I doing? She realized she'd made a mistake as soon as she came face to face with the huge man.

His skin was the color of dark umber, blending into the shadows, while his eyes glowed honey in the moonlight. He was tall, well over six feet, and broader, bulkier than Bridger's lean build. Is everyone from this world hot?

"Don't you fucking touch her." Vega kept her nerve, faking a calm she didn't actually feel as her heart continued to beat out of control.

"Ah, still the big, strong hero," he said, an unnerving smile sliding across his face. "You look good, Sparks. A little scrawny but still as pretty as ever."

"Fuck you." She scowled. Vega kept her distance, ready to run until her legs and lungs gave out. Though she was certain this man could likely outrun a cheetah—she didn't stand a chance.

"And she's got a temper? Bridger is screwed ." He hacked a laugh, slapping his knee.

Vega took a step back, a twig snapping under her weight. She had to distract him. I have to survive. Arlet has to survive. She shot off, luring him back into the shadows.

"You did always love a good chase!" he called after her.

Vega didn't slow her pace, pushing herself faster than she thought possible, but she was fading fast. A year of at-home workouts hadn't prepared her for running through the forest being chased by two scary men—not to mention they were in better shape than nearly anyone Vega had ever seen in real life.

She puffed, backing herself up against a tree.

"C'mon, Vega! Don't delay the inevitable." He sounded close again. "We don't want to hurt you! We just gotta get you back so your sister can."

Vega closed her eyes and prayed to the god she didn't believe in. I swear if you let me live, I'll start going to church. It might be too late to pray herself out of hell.

"Where is she?" Bridger boomed, his voice echoing through the trees.

"She's playing a little hide-and-seek with us."

"Arlet's out here somewhere too," Bridger said.

Vega couldn't see either of them when her eyes snapped open—she'd given up asking God for any help. Fuck, maybe I should pray to the Roman gods—no, wait, they're dead. She was on her own here. Her muscles quivered from fear and fatigue, and her mouth was so dry she couldn't swallow.

"Are you bleeding?" the man whose name she didn't know asked.

"She broke my nose," Bridger growled.

The crack of a bone being reset echoed through the dark forest. Vega flinched at the sound.

"Find them and let's get the fuck out of here. Kill Arlet for all I care. Vega stays alive."

His words sent chills down Vega's spine. She wished she could see them and keep an eye on their movements, but all she could rely on was the sound of their footsteps against the fallen leaves.

Vega turned her head to the side, stretching to hear the retreating shuffle of footsteps when a hand clasped over her mouth. Vega thrashed, a muffled scream vibrating against the hand. The person spun her around, and Vega's gaze landed on Arlet .

All the fear rushed from her body, and she gave Arlet a shove. "Fuck, I thought I was dead. I thought you were dead, oh my god," she sputtered in a hushed whisper. Vega wrapped her in a giant hug—it was the only way she could keep the tears at bay.

"We need to get to the portal, okay?" Arlet whispered.

Vega nodded, looking around. She'd gotten herself so badly turned around she'd never be able to find it again without Arlet.

"Stay close, and if I tell you to run, you run and you don't look back," Arlet said, peeking around the tree.

"They're going to kill you," Vega gasped.

"They can try." Her eyes twinkled with challenge. "Don't slow down. Keep running." Arlet didn't wait for Vega to agree—there was no time.

Arlet darted between a few trees, light on her feet. Vega crept forward to follow and took a giant breath, steadying her nerves. She'd barely taken three steps when a hand caught her by the collar of her flannel. Vega yelped as she flopped to the ground with enough force to knock the wind out of her.

Bridger stood over her. Shadows hid most of his face from view, making him look like a fallen angel with a disastrous plan.

She scurried back, trying to get out from underneath him. Darkness settled behind his gaze as he stepped into the moonlight, and when their eyes locked, Vega froze.

"Hi, Kitten." Confidence oozed through every pore of his body.

The air was back in her lungs with a frantic gasp. "It's you."

His forehead wrinkled as his brows creased together, but her comment didn't faze him for long. The look was gone in a blink. "Ah yes, your worst nightmare. Here to bring you home," Bridger declared.

"No, I—" She never got to admit she'd been dreaming of him because Arlet came out of nowhere, tackling Bridger like a linebacker on the hunt for a Super Bowl ring. The sound of Bridger's surprise rolled through the trees .

Arlet pinned Bridger, and hope filled Vega's chest when she saw her reach for a hidden dagger. But he didn't let her have the upper hand for long, flipping Arlet off like a sack of potatoes.

Vega jumped to her feet, ready to help her friend fight with the pocketknife she suddenly remembered having, when the man from earlier popped up in front of her with the smile of a devil on his lips.

"What's your plan, huh? It's best you stay out of this one." The warning rang in her ears.

"Let me guess. You're one of my sister's henchmen." Vega hated that she couldn't remember this man, that he knew all her secrets and she didn't even know his name.

"Not quite," he answered, starting to circle her like the prey she was. "But do go on. I'd love to hear who you think I am."

Vega kept her eyes on him. "Trash, obviously," she spat.

He distracted her with his circling, and Vega didn't expect him to lunge. She almost got herself out of the way, but he moved with unearthly speed. She was in his grasp, his arm sliding around her neck in a chokehold. He squeezed with enough force that black dots began to sprinkle into her vision almost immediately.

His breath tickled her ear. "Sleep tight."

Vega clawed at his arms, but he had her held tight with such little effort that Vega knew she was going to die. Blood seeped under her fingernails, but the man didn't loosen his grip.

Vega fought until she couldn't anymore, until the man choking the air from her lungs whacked her into a tree, knocking her out and into the abyss she'd come to know too well.

The real world floated away, and Vega settled into a world she'd never get the chance to see again.

The girls giggled, grabbing their light jackets and bounding down the stairs as quickly as they could.

Arlet fixed Vega's floral crown and from somewhere behind her back pulled out another to place on Marlena's perfectly styled updo. The dark red flowers popped against her bright blonde hair.

Marlena beamed as Arlet settled the crown onto her head. "Where did that come from?"

Arlet shrugged, a smile turning her cheeks pink. "I made an extra just in case."

Vega opened the front door of the Aeris estate, looking over her shoulder at her sisters—one by blood, the other by fate. Their faces fell when the door opened wide. "What's the…" Vega began, her words sticking in her throat when she turned to face her parents on the other side of the door. Their arms were crossed, expressions serious.

Arlet waved apprehensively from behind Vega. "Hi Ryanna. Hi Jonan."

"And where is it you think you're going?" Ryanna asked, eyes scanning the three girls dressed in bright colors.

Vega's brow furrowed in confusion at her mother's annoyed tone. "Uh, it's the last day of Floralia? We're going for the closing ceremony." The last day of the spring festival meant games, prizes, and baked goods at half the price.

Jonan strode his way through the door, plucking Marlena's crown from her head. "You two might be, but she isn't."

"Dad," Vega protested. "That's not fair. She hasn't been able to go all week, and you promised?—"

Ryanna closed the front door. "We promised nothing, Vega. We said that if your sister catches up with all of her work this week, then maybe she could go."

Marlena huffed, throwing her arms up. "And I did!"

Arlet made herself small, sinking into the background as the Caelums argued.

"That's where you're wrong, daughter." Ryanna's voice was void of any warmth. "Your work as a leader of this realm is never done. Do you think your father and I have time to go meandering around the city during every festival? No. It's not becoming of a future seat holder to be seen partying through the night with her friends. "

"Mom, we were just going for a few?—"

"Vega, please. Stay out of this. You and Arlet go have a good time and say hello to Khort for us, would you?" Her mother reached out and brushed Vega's cheek, adjusting Arlet's crown of daisies in passing. "Marlena, go upstairs and change." She walked by without so much as a glance in her eldest daughter's direction.

"Mother, please, can I go for just an hour? All I want?—"

Jonan's deep voice boomed. "If you ask one more time, you're going to regret it! Now do as your mother said and go change."

Vega flinched at her father's tone, eyes bouncing between Marlena and her parents. "Mar, I…" Her sister's gaze darted to her, a desperate plea hiding behind her eyes. "I'll bring you back your favorite berry tarte."

Arlet grabbed Vega's hand gently and pulled her through the doorway. Vega peered over her shoulder, watching Marlena's stare darken until the door to their home slammed shut.