I didn’t stop running until I reached the edge of the village.
My lungs burned.
My legs trembled so badly that I collapsed beside an old oak tree.
I pressed both hands over my mouth, trying to quiet my sobs.
Seraphine…
The sound of her scream echoed through my mind.
Had they killed her?
The thought made my chest tighten until I could barely breathe.
“No…” I whispered.
“Please… no.”
The silver ring on my finger felt warm.
Not hot.
Comforting.
Almost as if someone were trying to remind me that I wasn’t alone.
I looked down at it.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
There was no answer.
Only the gentle breeze stirring the leaves above me.
After several minutes, I forced myself to stand.
No one could know where I had been.
No one could know about Seraphine.
And definitely no o
