Chapter 25: Ashes In Her Lungs
Katarina's POV
"Maribel?" I whispered.
My voice echoed quietly in the dim room. My body still ached, warm from the way she'd touched me just hours ago. The mattress beside me was cold.
She was gone.
I sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from my eyes. The room was silent, still, strange. Why would she leave without saying anything? Why sneak off in the middle of the night?
I lay back down, my heart heavy, trying not to overthink it. Maybe she got caught. Maybe she just didn’t want to risk getting attached. Maybe… maybe I was alone again.
I whispered her name again, softer. Nothing. I glanced toward the door, closed, locked. Same as before. Maybe she had to work early, and she wasn’t allowed to stay.
I lay back down, my chest tight and Eyes wide open.
Then I
