I watched the video again and again.. Maria's bruised face, her terrified eyes, her pleas for help. Each replay carved deeper into my chest.
"Thalia, stop." Zephyr reached for the laptop.
I pulled it away. "She's suffering because of me. Jesse took her to get to me."
"That's exactly what he wants you to think."
"It's true." I stood, pacing my office. "I should go. Trade myself for her. Maria's innocent..."
"No." Zephyr's voice was steel. "Absolutely not."
"She's been with this family for years. She brought Theron tea every morning, told him stories about..."
"I know who she is." Zephyr moved between me and the door. "And I know you care about her. But walking into Jesse's trap won't save her. It'll just get you both killed."
"Then what do we do? Let her die?"
"We get her back the
