Broad-shouldered. Magic clung to him like a storm waiting to break.
He was pacing—back and forth—clutching his head with both hands, muttering to himself in a low, cracked voice.
“Chase her… you have to—no! Leave her! You have to save—no, no…”
Thorne.
I shrank deeper into the shadows, barely breathing.
He scraped his hands down his face hard enough to draw blood.
“Elira…” he whispered, broken.
Then his head snapped up.
“Elira!”
His eyes were black. Wild. Murderous.
“Elira!”
“Elira!”
He spun—eyes black, fists clenched at his sides, blood streaking his face like war paint.
Whatever war he was fighting, it wasn’t over.
Not even close.
I pressed myself into the alcove, heart pounding so hard it hurt. One wrong shift and he’d sense me— maybe even hear my thoughts.
Another blast rocked the tower. Dust rained from the ceiling.
Thorne didn’t flinch. He just stood there, trembling—like he might snap in half if someone so much as breathed near him.
Then, at last, he moved.
He stormed away, boots pounding against the floor above, his voice still ringing.
“Ihaveto find her!”
I waited until his footsteps vanished—
Then I turned—
And froze.
Someone stood in my path.
Chapter 44
Leo
The tunnels stank of mildew and shit.
Muddy water swished around my feet with each step. Lia assured me this was the only way into the cave system and I trusted that.
Still. This place was fucking rank.
