NATALIA
The corridor was dim and quiet, but my head was anything but. My heart still hadn’t slowed, and every breath tasted like ash.
Lilith’s voice echoed inside me. If you don’t finish this, I will.
I moved like a shadow through Damon’s packhouse, hands clenched, footsteps light. The cool air kissed my face as I slipped past closed doors and polished railings.
Somewhere behind me, Andrei was still in that room, probably standing among the shards of glass I’d left behind, unaware of how close he’d been.
Unaware that I was alive.
And unsure if he deserved to know.
I pressed my palm to the wall and tried to breathe. My thoughts felt splintered, whiplashing between fear and fury, grief and longing.
I should have run. I should have left the second she started talking on that call. B
