DARRAGH’S POV

The drive back from the academy should have been peaceful. The winding roads through the forest were familiar, and I'd made this trip hundreds of times before. But something felt wrong from the moment I pulled away from those iron gates.

Maybe it was leaving Ciara behind. Maybe it was the weight of everything she'd told me about Mom's fate. Or maybe it was just the nagging feeling that I should have stayed longer, said more, held her one more time before walking away.

My phone ...