Ruby's POV
It was early.
The sky still painted in bruised purples and pinks, the sun just beginning to light the edge of the ridge.
Carter was asleep again, his breathing steadier now. Chloe had checked his stitches twice since dawn, satisfied he wasn’t bleeding out in secret. But I knew she was restless. Kept pacing. Kept glancing toward the trees like she had somewhere to be.
She hadn’t said it yet, but I felt it coming.
“You’re leaving,” I said quietly, not looking at her.
She stilled, then blew out a slow breath. “Yeah.”
I didn’t blame her. Staying too long was a risk. Chloe wasn’t just Carter’s sister: she was the daughter of Cyrus, a Moonshade enforcer whether she liked it or not. Her being here, helping us, was already treason in some corners.
“You’ll have to lie,” I said.
