“You understand why that’s hard to believe?”
“I do. And it’s a doubt you would not be alone in. In fact, Vincent made that assumption from the beginning. He assumed that I’d be on board with his plans because it would give me access to that one massive step up in power. The one I’d missed out on when I was chosen by the second prince instead of the heir. Trevor is absolutely wonderful. I adore him. And I no longer believe I am entitled to any of it. I don’t know that I even want it, at this point. I don’t deserve it. I’ve hurt so many people, and for what?” She runs her fingers through her hair, her expression clearly showing pain.
My heart aches for her. A strange feeling for someone I should hate.
I believe her,I realize.
At least a little bit. She’s seeing the error she made and how it’s affected her. She’ll do what she can to fix it and reverse the damage. Does that mean she wouldn’t do it again? I don’t know.
“I told Vincent about what happened at Myre Island,” she says, eyes still cast down. “I told him with certainty that Jarron had imprinted that night. I didn’t think it would mean anything. It never crossed my mind that he would pursue Jarron’s chosen. The idea is disgusting, truthfully. But Vincent has been off for years. Some of his family believe—well, something happened to him to cause this shift. His soul is damaged.”
She shakes her head.
“I don’t know for certain,” she says. “But I didn’t realize the darkness of his nature at first. He was a mentor. A teacher. I trusted him. And I sincerely had no idea what he would do with the information. He prodded me for more over the next year, and I didn’t realize at the time that he was trying to pinpoint who Jarron had imprinted on. None of us knew for certain who his chosen was, but it was obvious it was one of the two Montgomery sisters. That information was easy to reveal. After that, it was just speculation. But it got to a point that he began to scare me. He must have been doing research on you two for years. He was making plans, learning what he could about you. I know this because I didn’t give him a name until the end of the school year, a couple of weeks before your sister died.”
I frown. “So, you gave him Liz’s name?”
She nods. “He was pressuring me and began threatening to tell Jarron what I’d told him. He knew Jarron would hate me for it. It would change everything. But Vincent was so determined I knew which one it was. He clearly had an idea in his head as well. He hinted he thought it had to be Liz. I think he wanted it to be true. She was an easier target. She was more pliable and desired power in a way you never showed interest in. So, I blurted out her name.
“She was apparently planning to enroll at Shadow Hills, did you hear about that? Turns out Vincent believed the moment she entered the school, Jarron would scoop her up and he’d miss his chance, so he pounced the summer before. I wish I’d known that at the time, what he planned. But even after the games happened and Liz was announced as dead, I knew I couldn’t say anything. Vincent could ruin me anytime he chose, and he reminded me of that repeatedly. I was wrong, but I didn’t know how to fix it by then. Even if Liz was the wrong sister, it would be close enough to the truth that Jarron would know where the information came from, and I’d lose everything. That ended up happening anyway, and to be honest, I deserve it.” She takes in a long breath and holds it for three full seconds before releasing it. “Again, I’m sorry. I’m very sorry for my ignorance and pride and how my actions have hurt you and your family so deeply.”
My head pounds. Should I hate her for this?
Should I include her in my list of names to destroy in retribution? Is it worth betraying Manuela for that?
Princess Beatrice still has information I need. She has access to ending the games. Something good can come from this, even if the bad can never be erased.
“You have information,” I blurt out. “Manuela said you can help me to end the games. Is that true?”
She nods slowly. “I have information that can help you. I have to be honest with you, though. I’d truly love to see the end of the Akrasia Games, but I am also in a difficult situation. Just talking to you puts me at risk. I want what you want, but I have to negotiate something in return.”
“Okay.” I frown. “What do you need in return?” I quietly pray that all she needs is for me to convince Jarron not to harm her. I can do that. Maybe it won’t be easy, but I can and will convince him that Bea can be an ally. If she needsmorethan that—
“I need you to promise not to hurt me.”
I flinch. “Why would I?”
“It’s difficult to explain, without revealing—” She shakes her head. Her jaw clenches before she meets my eye. “This is the secret to ending the games. The magic that binds it all together will be erased for good… if you kill every single member of the Cosmic Council before they can replenish.”
My brows pinch. “Replenish?”
“So long as one member remains, new members can be sworn in. For example, Jarron killed three in the caves a few weeks ago, but they’ve already been replaced.”
That’s the secret? She revealed it just like that? “So, all ten need to be killed at once?”
“They need to be killed before any realize what’s happening and flee.” She nods.
I swallow, already thinking through possible plans for how to make that work.
“And I need you to make me that promise.” She places her palm over her lips, like she’s afraid to utter these next words. Then, she finally whispers, “Because I’m one of them. I’m part of the Cosmic Council.”
20
That Fine Line Goes Both Ways
I stare wide eyed at Bea. Her admission hangs thicker between us than the Orizian air surrounding me.
“You…”
