Vael left without another glance, the door clicking shut behind him like a lock on a crypt.
Silence settled.
And then I turned to Thorne—my eyes burning, voice shaking with venom.
“Was that hard to watch?” I asked. “Or do you evenfeelanything anymore?”
He didn’t answer.
Didn’t look at me.
Just stood there. A ghost in my nightmare. The man I once trusted—now nothing more than a sentry.
“I hope you’re in there,” I said, softly. “I hope you felt every second of that. Because one day, Thorne, when this breaks—whenyoubreak—I want you to remember how you stood there. How yougave me to him. And didnothing.”
Still no reaction.
But I thought—maybe, just maybe—I saw a flicker. A breath. A shift behind the eyes.
And gods, I held onto that flicker like a thread of light in the dark.
Because it was all I had left.
Finn’s word still rang in my bones.
Remember.
Chapter 33
Leo
Maddie and I had stolen a couple of Shattered Crown uniforms, stiff with salt and blood. Mine itched like hell, but I didn’t complain. Not when every second counted. Not when Elira might be somewhere on this godsdamned ship.
We’d snuck aboard under cover of chaos— battle-smoke still trailing in the sky like a curse. No one questioned two more soldiers barking orders, moving crates, blending in. Not yet.
Maddie moved beside me with practiced precision, her chin tilted at that perfect arrogant angle she’d seen on enough guards. Her violet hair was tied back and hidden, her uniform half unbuttoned. I’d sourced a couple of helmets, but with Maddie being so small, it wobbled slightly on her head.
I hoped it wouldn’t be too obvious.
We kept to the lower decks, where the shadows were thicker, the questions fewer. My heart thundered as we passed rows of chained prisoners—soldiers from Frostwatch. Civilians. No Elira.
“We check the officers’ cabins next,” Maddie whispered.
I nodded. My fingers itched toward the dagger hidden under my coat. If she was here, we’d find her. If she was hurt—
Gods help whoever stood in our way.
We rounded a corner—and stopped.
Two Sentinels stood talking outside the captain’s cabin door.
My gut twisted.
Maddie gave me a sharp nod—ready. But I grabbed her arm before we could move.
“Too risky,” I murmured. “There’s no opening. We’ll come back. We need another way.”
We backed off and circled toward the galley.
