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“Are you all right?” he asked, taking a step forward. “Are you safe?”
“Why would I not be safe?” she asked.
Sorin was hanging back, leaning against the bridge railing. Hisarms were crossed, a bored expression on his face. He had not seen the Fire Prince once since he was led from his chambers nearly a week ago.
“Just please come talk to me,” Callan pleaded.
“I am not ready to talk to you, Callan. There is much I need to work through—”
“Then let me help you,” he cut in.
“You cannot,” she replied sadly.
“And I supposehecan?”
“There is much you do not know.”
“Then tell me.”
“There is much even I do not yet understand,” she tried again. Her tone was beseeching.
“And I suppose he holds the answers? How do you know he is not controlling you?”
At the words, Sorin pushed off the railing and came strolling casually along the bridge. “Are you suggesting that I amforcingScarlett to do something?” His voice was dangerous and cold.
“It’s happened before,” Callan said defiantly. “Or did it? Did Mikale really threaten me?
“Callan, I would not make that up,” Scarlett said, hurt flickering on her face.
“Maybe you didn’t. Maybehedid. Maybe he has orchestrated all of this. To get you here,” Callan spat.
“No. That is not true. You know that’s not true,” Scarlett cried, but a flash of uncertainty crossed her features.
“Then let me go back and confront him,” Callan said. “Let me go home where I am free to go where I please and see whom I wish.”
“You are not a prisoner here, Callan, but you cannot go back yet,” Scarlett pleaded. “It will put you and Cassius in danger.”
“Cassius?” Callan blinked, and he let his anger blurt out the next thing he said. “Ah, Cassius. The fourth piece of this equation. Tell me, Scarlett, which of us do you love, by the way? Or do we all serve your purposes in some way or another?”
Scarlett took a step back, and Sorin reached out a hand to steady her. Her shadows receded into her as if she had been punched. Sorin reached up with a finger and drew flames in the air. The symbol shimmered for a moment, then disappeared.
“What do you want me to say, Callan?” she whispered.
“I want you to say to my face that you used me. That you never cared for me,” he spat.
“That is not true! I will not say it,” she said, shaking her head. “I still care for you.”
“I want you to say to my face that you lied to me when you told me he was not the reason you stopped coming to me.” He threw an accusing finger in Sorin’s direction.
“I did not know him until a few months ago,” she retorted, her eyes darkening. She took a step forward, shrugging off Sorin’s hand at her back. She came to the edge of the bridge, and Callan met her there, toe-to-toe. Fury lined her features now, but he refused to back down from her. “Ask me what you wish to know, Prince,” her voice now lethal.
Callan knew. He knew he was pushing her to a dangerous edge. He knew what she was capable of. He’d watched her cut down vampyres like they were nothing. He’d watched her step on entrails just to inflict more agony and pain.
The sound of rushing water echoed in the space, and the Water Prince stepped from a portal at the other end of the bridge. He stood back, waiting for something, watching.
“Well?” she demanded.
“A few weeks ago, you told me he was a close friend like Cassius. Was that true?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.
