Chapter 8

Ariel's POV Leona's figure faded from my sight; she simply vanished into the forest. Oh God, what have I done? Everyone except her knew what that forest represented. Atwood rushed forward first, shouting her name, but every instinct within me went off like an alarm. I grabbed his arm and pulled him back, preventing him from crossing the edge of the woods. "Are you crazy? You can't go in like that!" I snapped. He jerked free, his chest heaving. "She's all alone! Ariel, she doesn't even know where she is! Let go of me—" "No." My voice wasn't as loud as I'd hoped. Instead, it was low and weak, choked with despair or self-reproach. "Your reckless intrusion will only make things worse." He stared at me as if I had just betrayed him. Perhaps I had indeed betrayed him. The truth was ugly beyond words; it was like a sharp blade pressed between my teeth, desperately wanting to break free: I liked this girl, but she was first attracted to my twin brother. Every cell in my body was still savoring