Remember: Book 2 of The Replacement Series by Bianca Sierra

Author:Bianca Sierra [Sierra, Bianca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

It seems like seasons before we make it back to Krisenica. My body is long healed by the blood the Slayers offered me, but my clothes still bear the proof of what I won. After ordering the Slayers to rest and heal, I slip through the passageways to one of the farthest bathing pools. The water scalds but loosens the dried blood from my skin.

As the water cleans away my sins, I consider the many choices and challenges that lie ahead. First, we mourn the dead. Then the Slayers must be united. The first-borns present the greatest threat, so they will be observed every moment and conspirators dealt with quickly. Arietta shall coordinate these efforts and be named captain of the first surge. Samuel, of course, shall lead the second surge. The third surge captain shall be the Tolken’s choice. The first-borns must have a captain of their own, but whom? Kha is trustworthy, but a leader? At the least he can offer council.

Merrick’s future behavior will need to be checked, for I have been far too lenient. If only the silly girl of my youth had remembered his warning. Do not trust me. Too many have seen me a fool by Merrick’s hand. That must be remedied quickly. I search through the secrets and whispers of Merrick’s blood, hoping for a compromise that benefits us both.

A faint pattern of steps tapping on the tunnel floor disturbs my preparations. Then his blood flares in me, increasing in intensity the closer he gets. At the same time, a familiar ache wraps around my heart. Before I can extinguish the pain, his words echo within me. Choose another. Are these the words Victor felt when he tasted my blood? Swallowing hard, I reinforce my shield and fix my mask in place.

His form stands above me, whole and nearly healed. Brown eyes bear down on me with much more than indifference. When I do not order him away, he slips out of his tattered, blood stained clothes. Unlike in the days of our youth, when we would often bathe together in the pools of Afri-terra, I do not look away.

Scars by my hand color his skin, which is much paler now without the tint of the Afri-terra sun. I memorize every mark before they lose their beauty and fade. When I linger on other parts, ones free of blemishes, he sucks in a small breath. Our eyes meet, igniting the taste of his blood still fueling my limbs, repeating the words confessed to me on the battlefield. Forgive me for all that I have squandered. Those words loosen my shoulders and relax my face, giving Victor the permission he needs to wade into the pool beside me.

When he takes me in his arms, I am not the Vegar and do not think of Merrick or my promise to Elia to keep him safe. Instead, as Victor runs his thumb across my lips, I remember the night of the bonfire, when we first soared through the air.

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