Free Hidden by Sophie Jordan Page B

part?” I bite out, hurting so much inside and unwilling to endure all the pain for this—all the blame. “Weren’t you the one who followed me and got us caught? Weren’t you the one who refused to escape with me when we first had a chance?”
    She glares at me hatefully, and this almost makes her bland visiocrypter eyes look alive. Something else shines there, too—the awareness that I’m right. She can’t hide her guilt completely. And then I remember Cassian, and the love he felt for her. Knowing Miram will forever blame herself makes me feel worse. Even Tamra looks at me with such disappointment, and I feel awful.
    Miram swipes at her nose with a sniff and fixes her gaze on the wall of the van.
    Lia blows out a breath. “And I thought I had it bad with all the drama in my life.”
    I look at Lia, this girl, this stranger. I don’t possess the energy to ask her about her life and where she comes from and what her drama could possibly be. Any other time I would have loved to meet a draki from another pride—to compare notes and find out if there was a better way of life outside my pride, away from Severin’s autocratic ways. But I can’t think about that now. Maybe later.
    I lie on my side, slide my hand beneath my cheek, and stare blindly. Strange, I’ve left the enkros stronghold behind, the prison that almost broke me down, but I don’t feel as though I’ve escaped.
    I still feel beaten, forever their prisoner.



9
    W e stop several hours later, pulling to the side of a small rural road.
    We need to discuss our next steps. The plan was to split up at this point—Cassian and Miram returning to the pride while we go our own way. Clearly that’s changed now.
    I can’t envision strolling back into the township. Especially now. Without Cassian. And yet Miram still needs to get home.
    I swallow and close my eyes. A target will forever mark my back after the pride learns what happened to Cassian. Lifting my face to the night, I let a breeze caress my skin and know that they will never let me go, never stop hunting me. They’ll blame me for Cassian. Severin will never rest until I pay, until I’m back with the pride, a prisoner. He’ll send one of his strongest after me. Corbin . He might be Cassian’s cousin, but he doesn’t possess one ounce of his integrity. He’d show me no mercy.
    “Jacinda.”
    I jerk at the sound of my name. I’m the only one still inside the vehicle. Tamra stands outside the van, looking in at me, her expression tight with worry, her smooth brow wrinkled. Will is just beyond her, shifting his weight on both feet. I’ve never seen him like this—so uncertain at how to approach me.
    Scooting out, I drop down on the ground and face him. The thought whispers across my mind that I should tell him none of this is his fault. I need to reassure him that I don’t blame him for making us leave Cassian. He deserves that. But I can’t look at him and say the words. No matter that my head tells me to utter them, my heart refuses. It’s too soon, my grief is too fresh and I can’t give voice to it. Instead, I walk past him.
    I see Lia and Miram silhouetted in the distance, standing beside two electric lanterns. Several sleeping bags sit near them but they make no move to unfold them.
    Will’s footsteps sound behind me. I sigh, knowing I can’t ignore him forever. I don’t want to ignore him. I want everything to be right between us again, but I’m not sure that will be possible just now. I can’t just stick my head in the sand and pretend that I’m okay. I might have chosen Will, but Cassian is— was —a part of me. And what does it mean for me and Will if I don’t feel free to express my grief?
    I open my mouth to speak, still not sure what to say. Words die in my throat as I spot Lia beginning to strip off her clothes. Immediately, I understand. I know that she’s leaving us.
    Miram, however, doesn’t have a clue. “What are you doing?” she demands, eyeing the girl