I needed a moment to absorb Gareth's words. With everything that had transpired, I had been too caught up in the chaos to ask either Gareth or Hadrian what had happened when they lost communication—or how they had managed to reach Crimsonville.

I turned to Hadrian. The warmth that had filled his eyes just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a blazing crimson intensity. His expression had hardened into something fierce and unreadable, a stark contrast to the tenderness he had shown me.

"How ...