The old temple ruins stood at the edge of our territory, half-swallowed by forest and time. I'd been there once as a child, before everything fell apart. Before my family scattered and I learned what it meant to be alone.

Gideon knew that, of course. He knew everything about me. Every weakness, every scar.

That's what made this so dangerous.

"You're thinking too loud." Darius adjusted the tracking charm around my wrist, checking it for the third time. "I can feel it through the bond."

We ...