Amara's POV

The school parking lot felt like a maze and the afternoon sun was a cruel, bright spotlight on my growing panic. I ran past parents greeting their children, their joyful laughter a stark, agonizing contrast to the frantic drum of my own heart. The moment I saw Glory, her face pale and streaked with tears, I knew my worst fears were confirmed.

"Glory!" I gasped, out of breath, my hand grasping her arm. "Where is he? Tell me you found him."

She just shook her head, her body ...