Page 112 of Forsaken Secrets

I wouldn't let them turn me into this person.

He wasn't worth it.

"Eli. Liam — whatever your name is — explain. Now."

He rubbed his throat, then winced and adjusted his spectacles. Spectacles? How had I not noticed those? The sight of them perched on his nose made my chest tighten a little. Damn him.

"Well, you already know that I'm a mage."

I nodded, steadfastly ignoring the confused glare that bastard Jaiel was sending me.

"I — uh, well — do you remember the Rogues?"

The Rogues, again? How were they connected? "Yes. The group that you insisted were not related to this mess underground."

He grimaced. "Yep. Those Rogues. They are a group of mages who are working against the Kings. We have positions throughout the kingdom gathering information, and we're working to destabilize their rule."

My jaw dropped as the word we registered. "You're working with rebels? That's why you were so certain it wasn't the Rogues all those times!" I started pacing. "Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you let me think you worked with the Reapers?"

Gods. I must have looked like such a fool!

"I couldn't, Kaiya. You have to understand that."

I glared at him, then Jaiel, then back. "And Lynk? Was he in on it, too?"

"No. Absolutely not. I don't know who he really is, though it seems the Rogues know about him."

Jaiel smirked, and my stomach plummeted.

"Look. I don't actually care who you are. We were just helping each other out, and now that's done." My voice broke, but I tightened my fists at my side and pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. This was not the time to break. "Lady Ellingsworth knows about your involvement with turning them in to the Seekers."

Both men stood tall at that. "Was she the one who did this to you? I'm going to kill that fucking woman — "

"No. Don't even think about it. You need to get away from here! She's coming after you next."

"But what about the Overseeker? I thought he was on our side. How'd she get to him?"

"She didn't. She had all the Seekers killed." And she'd been so very pleased with that fact.

"Gods be damned." Eli stepped forward, his hand brushing my shoulder before I could step away. "What should we do?"

I glared at him. "I'm going to figure something out, but it will have nothing to do with you. I just wanted to make sure you knew …"

"Kaiya. I'm so sorry — "

My eyes burned. I needed to get out of here.

I swallowed the painful emotions that threatened to overwhelm me and turned to go.

"Wait. I can still help! I'd planned — "

"No! Eli. Liam. Whatever your name is. Gods. I don't even know your damn name!" The truth of the situation made my head spin.

So many lies!

I relaxed my hands and forced my voice to remain steady. "Thank you for healing me, but I do not care what you had planned. This is my life. I may have forgotten that for a bit, but I do not need your or anyone else's help."

His eyes widened, and he stepped back. "You don't understand! I think I'm starting to fall …"

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