Ella's POV
The storm had followed us back to the stronghold.
Not wind. Not rain.
But tension—so thick it felt like the walls themselves were bracing for impact.
I couldn't sit still after the incident in the woods. Every time I blinked, I saw Darius's small body suspended in those glowing runes. Every time I breathed, I felt the residual magic still clinging to me like smoke after fire.
They'd used him to get to me.
The witches knew who I was. Or who I used to be.
Remo hadn't said a word since we returned. He walked beside me like a shadow, close enough to feel, distant enough to burn.
We reached my room. I stepped inside, expecting him to leave—he never stayed. But he followed me in, quietly shutting the door behind him. The lock clicked. My spine straightened.
I turned slowly. "
