*Eliza*
“A trade,” Aeris’s voice echoed in my ears as I looked frantic after Jared, who was stuck in place with shock. The young woman on the stage turned frantic eyes on Jared, and the look on her face…
Something snapped in my chest.
A trade. A trade… Me, for that woman.
“You can have her back,” Aeris boomed, a hush falling over the crowd. “If you leave Eliza behind, with me.”
Jared looked back at me, his eyes cold and void of expression as he looked me over. I opened my mouth to say his name. It was the only thing I could think to say.
But then he turned and pushed through the crowd.
He’d gone to her.
“We need to go, now,” Brandt hissed in my ear, his brutal tone sounding so unlike him as he grabbed me roughly by the arm and started to pull me out of the crowd.
I tasted acid in my throat. My mouth was dry as I tried to swallow. My heart was shattering in my chest as jealousy and confusion roiled in my stomach.