Leah could still feel the parchment’s coarse edge digging into her fingertips long after it had slipped from her hand. The words burned inside her skull, circling like vultures. You’re next.
The note lay on the floor where it had fallen, harmless in appearance but carrying the weight of a death sentence. She wanted to crush it under her heel, to erase it from existence, but even the thought of touching it again made her skin crawl.
Nathan’s hand was still on her arm, firm, grounding. She hated that part of her wanted to lean into his grip, to draw from the steadiness in his touch. With every ounce of willpower, she pulled back.
“Don’t,” she whispered, stepping away until her back hit the cold wall. “Don’t touch me, don’t say anything. Just tell me the truth for once.”
Nathan’s eyes fli
