Maximus's POV
The moment I heard the voice, my heart stopped.
“I… I think I can help him.”
I turned so fast my neck almost snapped. And there she was.
Emilia.
Standing in the doorway, pale as moonlight, her hair messy, her skin still carrying the marks of her shift. She looked like she’d walked through hell and somehow crawled back out. Her eyes were empty, exhausted, as if her soul had been dragged across the earth.
But she wasn’t looking at me.
Her eyes were locked on Damien. Only him.
Rose’s gasp echoed behind me. “Miss… you… you’ve shifted back.”
Emilia didn’t answer. She just stepped inside slowly, like her body weighed a hundred pounds. She gave the smallest, weakest smile—directed at Rose…at anyone but me.
Not even a single glance my way.
My chest tightened so hard I alm
