Page 92 of I Will Mend You
“You really care about this woman.”
I cast my sister a sidelong glance. “Is that a problem?”
“Are you sure you have the right twin?”
“What does that mean?”
“One of them left you in a burning basement to die.”
I grind my teeth. “Get to the point.”
She grabs my arm. “I have nothing against her, but you need to consider that Delta had her under his control for days. Days where he could have brainwashed or manipulated her against us.”
The weight of her words sinks into my gut like lead. That possibility has plagued me in varying amounts since I woke upsurrounded by flames. I look her dead in the eye, conveying my unwavering commitment to Amethyst.
“He got to all of us at some point during our lives, and we all want him dead,” I say. “If I see any signs of manipulation or betrayal, I’ll handle it. Until then, we’ll treat her with respect and care.”
She releases my arm. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I stare after her as she continues down the hallway and into the room next to the infirmary. Every instinct says Amethyst isn’t a Trojan horse, but I won’t discount the risk.
We’re finally hitting Father where it counts—his wallet. That’s not something he will take lightly. The chance he will use Amethyst to strike at me again is dangerously close to inevitable.
Forcing aside the nagging doubts, I continue down the hallway toward the infirmary. Amethyst’s drowsy voice floats through the crack in the door, making my heart stir.
It reminds me of the early mornings I spent in the prison’s blind spot, waking her from a slumber with phone sex. When she giggles, the sound makes my chest inflate with hope.
I push open the door and step inside to find her strapped to the cot, which is set at an incline. She’s still dressed in yesterday’s hospital gown, with the blankets pulled up to her chest. The morning sun filters through the blonde side of her curls, making them shine like spun gold.
She stops mid-sentence, her eyes going round.
“Who are you talking to, little ghost?” I ask.
Her gaze darts to the side for a second, then she meets my eyes, her face falling with what looks like disappointment. “I was dreaming.”
“You dream with your eyes open?” I ask.
“I thought I was back in my room before any of this happened,” she replies with a shudder. “Looks like my mind won’t stop playing tricks.”
“What was happening in this dream?” I ask.
“Xero was…” She shakes off that sentence. “You were in my room, telling me you’d escaped prison for the night.”
Smiling, I step forward and reach her bedside. Amethyst shrinks into the mattress and swallows, her breath quickening. The monitors measuring her vital signs beep faster, and her gaze darts around the room, seeming to search for an escape.
A lead weight sinks into my stomach. She still sees me as a threat.
“Easy,” I murmur and step back to create a little distance. “It’s okay. No one’s here to harm you.”
Her eyes search mine, scanning for any traces of deceit. I hold her stare, conveying the depth of my commitment and love. Her gaze wavers, then steadies with a flicker of trust. The connection between us deepens, filling the silence with an unspoken understanding.
“Do you need anything?” I ask.
“You can remove these oven mitts from around my hands.”
“Mittens,” I reply with a sigh. “After we put you back in your bed, you pulled out your IV and tried to escape. Twice.”
She raises her chin, her eyes hardening. “Am I your prisoner?”