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A surge of desire shot through Ava The dark voices whispered in her mind and a ripple of power teased her lips

Kill them, they whispered Take them Hurt them as they hurt you Hurt them more…

"You want that," Astrid said

"Yes"

"I can see But before any of that happens, youelse"

"What?"

Astrid’s voice softened "You rieve And you must heal"

The Irina’s words were sour in her ears An ache rose in her heart, and she tried to push it back

"I’d rather just kill so," Ava whispered

"You try to forget him, but you can’t You never will He is the other half of your soul"

"Astrid," Danored him

"Half of you died with him, Ava"

"Shut up"

"Half of you died, but you must understand, half of hi Tears she’d shunned Tears she forced herself to battle back If she let them loose, they would fall forever

"He lives in you"

"Shut Up" She choked on the lump in her throat "You have no idea--"

"I have every idea" Astrid took a hand and put it to her throat Then a whisper cae, and theher skin When she pulled her hand away from her throat, Ava saw a band appear Duller than the other marks, it crossed her collarbone and disappeared over her shoulders

"What is that?" Ava asked

Da down "Too soon, sister"

Astrid blinked and her ive et myself"

"A rare occurrence, if I remember correctly"

"Not so rare as before," she said with a sain "Shall we ive you ti a basket?"

"Yes, it’s in the kitchen"

"Good" Astrid nodded brusquely "Eat so, dress warmly Good shoes I’ll be back in an hour to show you around"