Alexander POV
There was only one truth left to hold onto now. Caleb was not giving up till Eliana was hauled back in chains or turned to ashes.
And I was not going to let that happen.
We had run far enough. Hidden long enough. The peace was never real. The villa was a fragile shield, already cracking. And the net that stole Scarlet was only the first blow. Caleb was tightening his grip.
Which meant I needed to break his hand before it could close.
We would not survive another ambush on the road. Eliana was too weakened by the broken bond, too helpless, without the fire of Scarlet. I could see it by the flinches, it gave it away every time she shuddered at shadows, every time her breath caught when the mist stole against her flesh. I could see it in her pounding her hands together as i
