The Blood Traitor (Prison Healer, #3)

by Lynette Noni

Love. She needs to focus on love. Caldon’s voice whispered across her mind, causing a sob to catch in her throat. She couldn’t think about him now, or how one of the last things he’d said was that he wouldn’t let her face Zuleeka alone: We’re in this together, Sunshine. You and me. Only, he wasn’t there. And she was facing Zuleeka without him. Kiva’s heart cracked all over again. But she now also knew what she had to do. Love. She needs to focus on love. Despite her training, all the magic she had left was currently being fueled by desperation — but it needed more than that. For light to grow, it needed more light. I want you to think of a memory, Jaren had told her, weeks earlier, a good one. A memory filled with love, Caldon had added. Even in the midst of the battle, that wasn’t difficult for Kiva — because all she had to do was think of them. Jaren and Caldon. Tipp and Naari. Cresta and Torell and Ashlyn. All the people so dear to her, who had fought with her — and for her. She thought of kissing Jaren on the mountaintop, of crying in Caldon’s arms. Of Tipp’s gap-toothed smile and Naari’s fierce protection. Of Cresta’s unexpected friendship, Torell’s unflinching loyalty, and Ashlyn’s unearned kindness. They were her hope. They were her strength. They were the reason she would not give up. Could not give up. And when Zuleeka finally managed to get a lucky swipe in, slashing her blade across Naari’s torso and sending her staggering to the ground, Kiva didn’t hesitate. On...