The moment I passed through the veil at the Stronghold, I spun and retreated again. I simply couldn't bear to return feeling this way. Jiao would know, would prod and poke until I confessed my feelings. At the very least, Max would feel guilty over the choice I now faced. And he carried enough misery and regret with him for a thousand lifetimes. He didn't need more of mine to add to that.

Instead, I soared the veil, forcing myself to focus, to ...