Page 124 of Forsaking All Others

When she’s out of sight Cat calmly takes out a gun and turns to level it at Sona.

‘Always aware.’

Starlen’s background commentary goes into hyperdrive.

93

“Cat!” Thorun gasps, “what are you doing?”

“Thorun, you might want to look away; things are about to get ugly.”

“No!”

Thorun grabs my hand and pushes the gun down.

“You can’t shoot Sona. She’s our friend.”

“She’s not our friend,” I shake my head and meet Sona’s eyes. “Are you, Sona?”

“I try to be,” she whispers.

“I’ve let this go on too long. Ever since Seville I’ve known you have to go.”

“Cat, it’s water under the bridge…” she starts.

I shake my head, my eyes on hers.

“You knew Thorun was going to be murdered by Evelyn, yet you didn’t warn her.”

“I’ve forgiven her for that,” Thorun says quickly, “she was scared, Cat. We all make mistakes.”

“And,” I go on as though I hadn’t heard her, “you told Amadea I put sleeping tablets in their water.”

Thorun gasps as Sona shakes her head in denial.

“And you told the contestants the bachelor sent me the be-jewelled choker as a gift.”

Thorun puts her hands over her face and asks through her fingers, her voice thick, “Sona, is this true?”

Sona raises her chin and meets my steady gaze.

“It’s a game. You know it, I know it. I might have spread information, but I never tried to physically harm you.”

“You never tried because you’re a coward,” I murmur, my tone flat, decision made, just a finger between her and her maker. “And I’m offering you a coward’s way out. Turn your back to me and kneel; you won’t see it coming. You won’t feel a thing.”

“Cat!” Thorun screams, “you can’t do this! It’s not right. It’s not right to kill people like this.”

“You heard her confession,” I scowl.

“And you heard what she said,” she shrieks, her voice beginning to hold an hysterical edge. “It’s a game. It’s all just a game. She’s our friend.”

“It’s not just a GAME, Thorun!” I snap. “It’s never been just a game from the moment we were selected. It’s war. Kill or be killed. This competition is just a taster. In the last competition we have to kill someone each, or we can’t cross the finish line.”

“What?”

“You heard. Killing is a prerequisite to becoming part of the final three. You HAVE to be able to kill to marry a vampire.”

“No,” she shakes her head, “no. Jag wouldn’t want this.”