Gael’s POV

I ran as fast as I could, heart in my throat as I kicked down Ellie’s door, hoping for a startled shriek, a yell, or even getting scolded, it would’ve been wholly preferable to the reality that the room was empty.

There was no sign of Ellie, and I almost collapsed to my knees when I was overcome by the truth. Valerian had gotten her. He had come into her home and gotten her with no… no one to defend her.

If there had been a guard, there ...