Alaric’s POV

The number still doesn’t work. I stare at my phone as if the answer might magically appear if I glare hard enough. It doesn’t.

The message thread is painfully short.

Me: Safe travels.

Me: Did they catch you up?

Me: It’s Alaric, btw. You know, the guy who helped you escape.

Me: Are you okay? Do I need to come and rescue you already?

That’s it. Just a one-sided conversation that’s been mocking me since she left. I tap the call button anyway; maybe she just missed the ...