Gabriel's fingers tightened around mine. Just a slight squeeze—but enough. A silent promise. I'm here. If he tries anything, I've got you.
Across from us, Malphas stood unnervingly still, but his eyes kept flicking to me. Not just watching—devouring. I could feel the heat of it crawling down my spine like a stain I couldn't scrub off. Gabriel must've felt it too, because his jaw clenched hard enough
to c***k granite.
Then Ben—always one for subtlety—snapped, "What do you mean by 'peace'?"
I almost thanked him for paying attention.
Gabriel didn't flinch. "She was sent to lead you all toward the right path. To remove the distractions. To prepare you for war."
Ben scoffed. "That's peace to you?"
Andrew's voice cut through like a blade drawn slow and steady. "The path of battle?" He ti
