Kael’s hand suddenly slammed against the stone wall of the hidden alcove, his knuckles scraping raw as he tried to steady the tremor running through his entire body.
He pressed his forehead against the cool stone, breathing hard, silver-streaked dark hair falling forward to hide his face. The letter in his other hand crinkled as his fingers tightened around it. He had just finished reading the latest message from his contact in Shadowthorn — the one promising him more power if he continued feeding them information about Elara and the babies.
“Why am I doing this?” he whispered to the empty alcove, his warm amber eyes squeezed shut. “She’s my sister. She’s finally happy. And I’m… I’m risking everything.”
He pushed off the wall and started pacing the small space, his boots scuffing agains
