Alina’s pov.
“Aria…”
My whole body jerked at the sound of my name. For a second I could not breathe. Then a slow warmth spread through my chest, smoothing the panic that had been clawing at me.
Edrick.
I knew his voice anywhere.
A soft beam of light cut through the darkness as he lifted his phone and turned the flashlight on. I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes as he moved closer. He looked so tall in the small space of the closet. Warm. Solid. Safe.
The moment his eyes found mine, something inside me broke. The fear I had been holding onto finally snapped.
He stared at me like he could not believe what he was seeing. His brows pushed together, his jaw clenched, and I could see worry sharp in his expression.
I must have looked awful.
I felt awful.
My chest rose and fell too fast.
