He hadn’t spoken a word yet, but there was something about the oppressive presence of this shadow that made his throat tighten, his words caught in his chest. "No! Not that one! I’m talking about what you’ve done! The harm you’ve caused!" Swapper’s voice was a venomous whisper, sliding into his ear like a snake’s hiss. Jayden froze, feeling the weight of those words sink into his skin, the sharp sting of guilt running through him.

A cold, twisted smile crept across ...