Page 109 of The Last Guardian

Haedeon? Why did he invite Nevan? And why did he ask him to bring me here?

“Since when do you talk to Haedeon?” I frowned; his hand kept pulling at me. “Why do I need to be here?”

We entered Haedeon’s office, and nausea rose in my throat at the smell—decay.

“I need to put your blood in a jar.”

What?!

I stopped—no, I tried to stop, but Nevan kept pulling at my arm.

I didn’t even struggle. Why? Why did I still move?

“Why?”

“Because he needs to use your blood,” Nevan said.

But—

“How do you know this?” I asked. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“Haedeon told me. I just told you,” Nevan said and then rolled his eyes. “Each time, I have to re-explain everything. It’s getting on my nerves. It would be easier if you did it willingly, right?”

Each time?

“I don’t understand… Nevan, what’s happening? Do what willingly?”

Nevan said, “Come on, the last time someone almost caught us here.”

The last time…

I’d never been here.

“But—when did we come here? I don’t remember.”

“Of course, you don’t,” Nevan said. “We came last week. Sad, you don’t remember. We had such a good time.”

Everything spun, but my body moved to follow him.

Like… he was in control.

“Nevan, explain to me, please,” I asked, “Do what willingly?”

“Join the right path.” Nevan stopped. His grin widened. “To fulfill your destiny.”

MY MIND DRIFTED and reached my body as I faced Zaidkiel. We never reached the Anchor. The memories were too painful to reach anything peaceful.

The realization hit me in the gut like a thunderstorm ravaging the ground.

Haedeon.

Haedeon had schemed all of this. He used my blood to manipulate me, to use me as he pleased. And to put this cursed mark on me.

Was it how he erased my memories? By taking my blood?

How did Nevan fall into Haedeon’s claws? Why did he follow him in his corruption?

My hands reached my eyes as I rubbed my head in slow strokes. The urge to curl up on the ground took hold.