THE TRUTH IN OUR EYES

e you ta

a blade-calm, quiet,

her ribs. She could still feel the warmth of Lucia's presence, the ech

king to anyon

erving his kill before the final blow. His eyes fell on the open clos

a step

la

e was qu

he said. "Yours.

dn't a

cked. "Was som

N

in two strides. Elara didn't flinch,

given you space. I haven't even touc

king. "I'm losing my mind in this damn cage

Then looked past her toward the balcony.

o fingerprints. Lucia wa

ed," he sa

inked.

show you

tayed

, El

hey were going. The door locked behi

didn't recognize sat in front. Roman was beside her, silent, his profile carved in sto

we going?

ok at her. "

ump in the road made her stomach twist. She didn'

ing that looked more like a private hospital than anything else. High w

pened h

t o

as empty. The hallways were clean and quiet,

a corridor and open

t a table, playing

eart leap

cut in. "L

epped

r. Same dimple in his cheek.

ked in c

t under

is Leo. My brother's son.

drained fr

brot

r bomb. They we

ho looked eerily like her son.

. "My world doesn't leave room for mistakes. Or mercy. A

. "So you're saying

to leave," he said, voice l

what felt like the closest thing to a con

you," he continued. "That you'

e back in

t instead, Roman led her into the east wing. The walls were lined with

r's wing," Roman said qui

oor and let h

e open. A fire crackled in the corn

w," he said. "No

turned

the c

looked

lieve me or not-I want

think a bigger room fix

id. "But it

d into his pocket, and pul

tared

picture

aintbrush. He must've taken i

said. "For months. Then

eath c

found o

lt the r

ci

steppe

ight. You'll s

l

d her. Her knees buckled and she slid t

d sent t

Roman's pain. Or maybe she

t was the mi

ected it to the nig

d k

art until she found the hidden burner

it on and

etting close. Tonight.

hit

essage w

ood ra

Sig

off just as a soft kn

la

art st

as E

the door and y

y pajamas, rubbing hi

om

nees and hugged him

you," he

e held him, her heart breaking

oment did

the end of the hall, Rom

chi

elped her escape, and Lucia's life is in danger. Meanwhile, Elara's brief reun