Nina

I stand outside Dr. Julian’s office, staring at the door. I can hear my breath in my ears, feel the tension twisting in my chest. My father’s words echo in my mind. “You need to handle this, Nina. Rylan can’t die in our territory. If he does, it’ll cause a mess we can’t control.”

I swallow hard and knock twice, the sound too loud in the quiet hallway. No response. I knock again. My stomach twists, and I feel like I’m walking into something I can’t undo.

“Come in,” ...