Ayla's pov
Hours passed in the darkness. I lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, my body aching despite Arkon's healing. Sleep wouldn't come. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that woman with Kira's face, heard her cruel laugh echoing in my head.
We easily walked straight into a trap. I was so desperate to find my sister that I had ignored every warning sign and Arkon’s warnings too.
The bond between us was still distant, Arkon had withdrawn somewhere in the house, but I could feel him there, awake like me. The silence between us felt suffocating.
Around midnight, I heard footsteps and Arkon appeared in the doorway, backlit by the hall light. He paused when he saw me, probably thinking I was asleep.
I sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in my muscles. His eyes met mine across
