I pressed my forehead and palms against the shower wall as lukewarm water streamed over me. The scent of blood, Leo’s and mine had long disappeared down the drain, but I still felt dirty.
I had to get to the farmhouse before Darius came looking. Yet I couldn’t turn the water off.
I was so tired.
The moment I’d returned to my cabin, I’d shoved the broken necklace under the mattress, stripped, and rushed into the shower just before the tears started. This was the only place safe enough to fall apart.
I stayed under the spray longer than I should have, letting silent sobs shake my body. Another name crossed off the list. But it never felt like victory. Just exhaustion and the heavy weight of more violence still to come.
A soft click sounded at my cabin door.
“Galen?” I called out, think
