He didn’t flinch.
“We don’t get to pick our allies anymore, Lace,” Jasper said firmly. “The old rules don’t apply. She’s the one we’ve been waiting for—andtheyfollow her.”
I blinked, heart pounding. “What do youmean, Jasper?” My voice cracked with exhaustion and anger. “I don’t understand!”
He looked at me then—really looked. There was something almost reverent in his eyes. Something that made my stomach twist.
“I know,” he said gently. “We’ll talk. I promise. When there’s time. But right now, you need to understand this much—Elira, you’re not just anyone. We’ve been searching for you for a long time.”
My chest tightened.
“Whohas been searching for me?” I asked, stepping back. “Why?” The shadows around my feet twitched. “You don’t work for Vael, do you? Because I swear—I won’t—Iwon’tgo back to him!”
Jasper shook his head instantly. “Vael? Hell no. Gods, no. I would never serve that monster.”
“Then who?” I demanded, fists clenched. “Who do you work for?”
He hesitated for half a breath. Then:
“Your family.”
I stopped breathing. “My—what? I don’t have a family!”
“You’re wrong, Elira,” he said softly. “Youdohave a family. A real one. You were never meant to grow up like this. You weretaken. Stolen as a child. And your mother—she’s been looking for you for over a decade.”
My knees nearly gave out.
“No,” I whispered. “No, I don’t—Idon’thave a mother. I don’t have anyone except—” My voice broke. “Except Finn…”
Jasper’s expression tightened with sympathy. “Your mother never stopped looking for you, Elira. And she’s beenwaiting.”
I shook my head, shadows flickering erratically now.
“It’s not possible…” I whispered. “What do youmean?”
Lacey turned back to me slowly, studying my face.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, but he’s right. She’s alive.”
My breath hitched. The world tilted, sideways and wrong. My heart pounded against my ribs like it wanted out.
I was speechless. I thought for a moment Lacey almost looked sympathetic. But the moment passed and her eyes hardened.
“We’d better clear the path to the docks,” she said finally. “If your Shades are coming we’ll need every second.”
Then the first faint sound of boots echoed outside.
Jasper moved to the door. “They’re here.”
Chapter 48
Leo
My wrists burned—searing, insistent. The star mark pulsed like a heartbeat I couldn’t ignore, dragging me toward the docks like a hook in my soul.
Behind me, Slade and Thorne kept pace, their footfalls steady despite the chaos still echoing behind us. Maddie was limp in my arms, her blood soaking into my shirt, her breath faint against my collarbone.
“It’s Phoenix,” Thorne said, low and grim. “He’s feels weak.”
