The Assembly Read online

  I turn back to Jackson. “Eloise and Garrett—you got them out, right?”

  Jackson’s face goes blank.

  “You got them out?” I cry again, grabbing his shoulders.

  “Your note said they would be waiting in the woods.”

  My heart seizes, and I turn away from him. I press a hand to my stomach as it churns, and I choke the wave of nausea back. “Jackson, I didn’t write you a note.”

  His face is tight, his features hard. “You did.”

  The distant sounds of chaos fade into the background. My legs shake too violently to stand anymore, and I slowly drop to the cold ground. “What did it say?”

  Jackson sits next to me, his face haggard. He shoves his hand into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper.

  Jackson,

  You must know why I’m writing tonight—I will not marry your brother, not when it’s you I love. And I do. I love you, Jackson. If you feel the same, find a way to steal the keys from Damien. Free me tonight.

  I’ve already told Eloise to flee with Garrett and wait for us in the woods. You know I couldn’t leave without them.

  Yours always,

  Brielle

  “Eloise,” I say, clutching the note to my chest as relief washes over me. “Eloise did this. That means they’re here somewhere, waiting.”

  I start to rise, but Jackson grabs my hand and gently pulls me back down. His eyes search mine. “Do you love me, Brielle? Or was this nothing but a desperate plea for help from your sister?”

  Frantic laughter bubbles in my throat. I watch Jackson’s face fall, and I realize he doesn’t know. How can’t he know?

  Without thinking, I grab his shoulders and press a kiss to his lips. Startled, he freezes, but after a moment, his hands delve into my hair, caressing my neck. For several warm, perfect heartbeats, I’m blissfully happy.

  Reluctantly, I pull away. “I do love you, but I’ll tell you how much later.”

  Smiling, he holds me for a short moment, resting his forehead against mine. Then he pulls me to my feet.

  It takes over an hour, but in the early light of dawn, we finally find Garrett. He’s exhausted, and tears have left dirty trails along his cheeks.

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” he says, clinging to me.

  I stroke his head. “Garrett, where’s your mama?”

  He hiccups and pulls a note from his tiny, red backpack. “I don’t know what it says. I can’t read much yet.”

  My hands tremble as I open the folded piece of paper, identical to the one Jackson received.

  Brielle,

  Tonight I’m going to make it right. Take care of Garrett—make sure he knows how desperately I love him. Take care of yourself. I love you desperately, too.

  Never stop fighting.

  Eloise

  “What does it say?” Jackson asks, but judging from the haunted look in his eyes, he already knows.

  I cling to Garrett, and years of pent-up tears finally roll down my face.

  “Brielle?” Jackson asks again.

  “She stayed behind,” I whisper as my world falls apart. “To start the fire as a distraction.”