CHAPTER 143
The basement walls felt like they were closing in. The air was thick with dust, the only light coming from the dim lantern flickering in the comer. We had been hiding for hours, waiting for Ivan’s sentinels to leave
I could still hear the faint howls above, the scratching of claws against the wooden floorboards of the cabin. They were searching for
Damon sat beside me, his back pressed against the cold stone wall, one arm resting
g over his bent knee. He hadn’t spoken in a while. but I could tell from the tension in his shoulders that he was on edge. He always was–especially when it came to me.
His dark eyes flicked toward me. “How are you holding up?”
I exhaled slowly, pressing my hand to my belly. “Tired. But I’m okay.”
Damon frowned, his gaze lingering on me longer than usual. “You should rest.”
I shook my head I can’t. Not when we’re trapped like this.”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue.
Amara had been pacing the room, murmuring incantations under her breath, reinforcing whatever magic was keeping us hidden. Finally, she stopped and faced us.!!
–
“They’ll give up soon,” she said. “But not for long. Ivan will send more.”
Damon clenched his fists. Then we can’t stay here.”
I met his gaze, my chest tightening. Where would we go?
“We move at dawn,” Amara continued. “I have contacts in the south–people who despise Ivan just as much as you do. They’ll help
A flicker of hope stirred in my chest. “People who’ll fight against him?”
Amara nodded. “If we make it to them, we’ll have a real chance.”
Damon’s expression hardened. “Then we leave at first light.”%
I exhaled, leaning my head back against the stone. Finally, a direction. A plan_
But deep down, a part of me knew–Ivan wouldn’t stop hunting us. Not until he had what he
he wanted.
Not until he had me.
The moment dawn broke, we moved.
The forest was still wrapped in mist, making it harder to see, but also harder to be seen. Damon stayed close to me, his hand hovering near my waist, ready to catch me if I stumbled.
Amara led the way, her steps quiet, almost too silent for a normal person.
I tightened my cloak around me, shivering against the cold. My belly felt heavier now, each step reminding me that I wasn’t just carrying myself–I was canying a life.
Damon slowed his pace to match mine. “Tell me if you need to stop.”
I glanced up at him, my heart doing that annoying fluttering thing again. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t look convinced.
We moved quickly, deeper into the trees, following a hidden path that Amara promised would lead us to a safe house where we could
But then-
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
I froze.X
Damon’s grip on my wrist tightened. “They found us.”
Amara cursed under her breath. “Move!”
We took off running
My heartbeat pounded in my ears as we weaved through the trees. My legs ached, my lungs burned, but I kept going.
Branches snapped behind us. Too close.X
Damon suddenly veered left, pulling me with him. “This way!”
I barely had time to react before we were diving down a rocky slope, hidden by thick undergrowth. I landed hard, Damon’s arm around me, steadying me as we crouched low
The sound of boots thundered past us
Ivan’s men
I held my breath, pressing a hand over my mouth to keep from gasping
Damon’s hand rested on the back of my neck, grounding me. Protecting me
I turned slightly, our faces inches apart. His breathing was ragged, his eyes sharp, but there was something else there–something I couldn’t name I
Something that made my stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with fearl
12:13 PM
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The voices above grew fainter. The sentinels were moving further away.
After a long moment, Amara whispered, “They’re gone. For now“})
Damon released me, his touch lingering for just a second before he pulled away
“We need to keep moving,” he murmured.”
I nodded, ignoring the way my heart was racing for an entirely different reason now.
my bones.”
By the time we reached the abandoned cottage that Amara had mentioned, exhaustion had settled deep into my b
The place was small, tucked against a hill, half–buried in overgrown vines. It smelled of dust and damp wood, but it was safe. Damon insisted on checking the perimeter before letting me rest.
“You’re always watching over me, I murmured as he helped me sit by the fireplace.
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Someone has to
My chest ached. “Damon_”
He didn’t look at me. Not at first. But then, slowly, his gaze met mine.!!
Something unspoken passed between us. A fragile, dangerous truth.
I wasn’t sure who moved first–him or me.
But suddenly, his forehead was resting against mine, his breath warm against my lips.
My fingers curled around the fabric of his shirt, I shouldn’t feel this way. But I did.
He had been there when I was broken, He had fought for me when no one else had
And now, I was falling for him.
Damon swallowed hard, pulling back just slightly. His voice was barely above a whisper. “We can’t”
I knew what he meant.
I was pregnant with another man’s child. A man who wanted to kill us both.
Let out a shaky breath. “I know
But the truth was- It was already too late
Amara suddenly stepped into the room, her face grim. “We have a problem
Damon straightened immediately. “What is it?!
She hesitated before saying, “Ivan knows where we’re going.“
