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it.” The reality was too painful. Anything she could possibly have to say would only dig into me like knives into an already seeping wound.
    “You’re being dramatic,” she snapped, and I straightened as rage curled hot fingers around my throat.
    “Dramatic? My evil half-brother stole my betrothed, cozied up to the Dictator, and is currently in the process of ruining my sister’s life, and I’m being dramatic ?”
    “There,” she said. “That’s better. At least when you’re angry, you’re alive.”
    I exhaled heavily. “Please don’t barb me. Please, just leave me alone. I don’t want to be reminded of one more way that Korr has won. Not tonight.”
    “Gabe...” She hesitated. “I think your hatred for him is unfounded.”
    “Are you trying to make me angry again so I’ll feel alive?”
    She shook her head. “I’m trying to tell you the truth. He’s trying to help you.”
    “You’re mad.” I stared at her, at the way her features softened as she looked at me, and then it struck me like a slap.
    She was in love with him.
    Pain shot through me like a rainstorm of daggers. I pushed past her for the party.
    “Gabe!”
    My head was buzzing. I ignored her and kept going, staggering over the stoop.
    A hand caught my coat and spun me around. “Careful, brother.”
    Korr.
    I raised my eyes to his. He was smirking, and all I wanted in that moment was to make that smirk vanish beneath my fist. I raised my hand.
    Korr must have read the murder in my eyes. He grabbed my lapels and pushed me against the wall. “Don’t you dare. Not at her party. Not on her birthday.”
    I made a noise of pure loathing deep in my throat. “You always know where to hit me exactly where it will hurt, don’t you?”
    He patted me hard on the chest. “If you wouldn’t wear every emotion that flits through your heart on your sleeve like a lovelorn puppy—”
    I swung for his face. He blocked the blow and forced my hand behind my back. I spat at him.
    Korr rammed his arm beneath my chin, forcing me to look into his face. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
    “I could never be more embarrassed than I am about being related to you.”
    Without responding, he reached into my pocket and yanked out my handkerchief. He dabbed his face without breaking eye contact, then he flung the square of fabric at me and released me.
    I stood seething as he vanished into the crowd. My head was foggy. My ribs hurt from the brief struggle
    Lakin had disappeared, too. A few guests gazed at me with a mixture of pity and curiosity, and I ducked away from their stares and headed for the conservatory. I needed to find my contact.
    I slipped my hand into my jacket to check for the message. My fingers met fabric and empty air.
    My stomach plummeted to my toes. I stopped. Horror drenched me.
    It was gone.
     
     
    NOW
     
     
    I DRIFTED IN and out of consciousness. Sunlight played through the slats in the barn, and the light danced across the floor, mesmerizing me. My skin burned like fire.
    My sister’s face floated before me. I could do nothing for her now. If I returned, it would be worse for them. The thought filled me with agony, and I moaned.
    I needed to finish my escape. I needed to find that Thorns contact.
    It was hard to calculate how long I’d been in this barn. I had spent so much time drifting in and out of consciousness.
    I sat up slowly, and every muscle in my body protested, but I didn’t faint. Black spots danced before my eyes, but they faded when I held still.
    Slowly, I crawled up to my knees, and then pulled myself to my feet with the help of the wall. The rough wood scraped my hands, but I barely felt it. My shoulder throbbed and my head spun. I lurched toward the door.
    Footsteps outside made me pause. I drew back and pressed myself against the wall. My heart beat fast in my chest, and I felt sick. I drew in a shallow breath, feeling the stiffening rush of terror through my veins as the barn door opened.
    The farm girl.
    She