Fear is what fuels Eliana, forcing her to accelerate her movements through the forest. She clenches her teeth in order to hide her pain, her ankle pulsing up her leg. She has her hair tied up, in order to keep it away from the branches jutting out.

“Hurry,” Jasper hisses. “We need to put as much distance between us and Viptan as possible.”

Eliana tries to pick up her pace, but her weak ankle protests. “I’m sorry,” she gasps.

Jasper comes to a halt, giving ...