“Now then,” Phil says, taking another step closer. “Let’s try this again.”
He reaches for me, fingers inches from my arm.
“Take her.”
The command comes from behind Phil, directed at someone I can’t see through the haze of pain and fear.
Footsteps approach. Gentle hands close around my arms, lifting me to my feet.
Seth.
Relief crashes through me. He’s helping. He’s—
Phil starts laughing.
The sound cuts through everything—my relief, my gratitude, my desperate hope that someone is finally standing up to him.
Seth’s grip shifts, becoming less supportive and more restraining. His body is still between me and Phil, but suddenly that feels like a cage instead of protection.
“Get your hands off of her,” Thane snarls from somewhere behind me—furious and too late.
Phil’s laughter grows louder, delighted.
“Oh, this is perfect,” he says, wiping at his eyes. “Did you see her face? That moment of hope before she realized?” His smile turns almost fond. “Daddy always said you were too trusting.”
Seth doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t look at anyone. Just holds me in place while Phil savors the moment.
“You really thought he was one of yours,” Phil continues, his voice warm with mock sympathy. “Poor Bree. Still so naive, even after everything.”
The mist around my feet goes wild, silver and black flickering between rage and panic. But it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters.
Because Seth—quiet, helpful Seth who walks with me through the grounds and asks about my day—is holding me for Phil like I’m cargo to be delivered.
Silence. No one moves. No one speaks.
And Phil’s laughter rings out over it all, delighted and terrible and final.
“We don’t run,”I’d said this morning, standing in that kitchen surrounded by people I thought I understood. But here I am, being held by someone I trusted while everyone else stands frozen.
The words taste like ash now—hollow and meaningless as everything else I thought I knew.
The sanctuary didn’t fall today.
It was never really safe to begin with.
Chapter 22
Theo
Seth’s hands on Bree’s arms.
Phil’s laughter echoing off the sanctuary walls.
The Ether around Bree’s feet convulsing—silver light shot through with black threads that pulse like a wound.
I watch it all unfold with the horrible clarity that comes when time slows down and you can see exactly how everything is going to break apart.
Make the right choice,I will Seth silently.Let her go. Step away.
