The text had been clear: come alone. One hour. Don’t be late.
And she had almost done exactly that.
If Jakob hadn’t shown up when he did and caught her working up the nerve to make the final distance to the meeting spot, she would be standing at that isolated service road right now with her heart pounding and praying she was about to see Meg for the first time in two years.
Instead she was walking safely back toward warm lights and thick stone walls with a man who had no idea how close she’d come to disappearing into the night.
Mallory hated lying to him. She hated it so much it made her stomach ache. But she hated the idea of something happening to Meg even more.
So she kept her shoulders straight and her expression neutral and forced herself to act like nothing at all was wrong.
Jakob stayed close beside her the entire way while one hand hovered near her elbow as if he expected danger to leap out at any second. His tension was obvious, from the tight jaw, the alert eyes, or the coiled readiness of someone who trusted nothing.
It only made her feel guiltier that he was worried about her. And that first chance, she was planning to sneak around behind his back again.
When the castle finally came into view, it glowed warm and safe against the snowy mountains, Mallory let out a breath. Back to square one trying to find her sister.
Inside, the familiar scent of polished wood and burning fireplaces wrapped around them.
“I’ll walk you to your room,” Jakob said.
“You really don’t have to,” she replied quickly.
“I do,” he answered.
There was no arguing with that tone.
They climbed the staircase in silence and every step echoed too loudly in Mallory’s ears. By the time they reached her door, her nerves were stretched so tight she thought she might snap.
“Well,” she said awkwardly, “thanks for coming to get me.”
“I’m glad I found you,” Jakob said quietly.
Guilt twisted again. He lingered in the doorway after she opened it, clearly reluctant to leave. She wanted to invite him in, get lost in his arms, and just enjoy the safety he presented. But Meg was still out there somewhere.
“You’re safe now,” he said. “But please, no more late-night hikes or whatever that was.”
She ignored the blatant insinuation that he didn’t believe her story. She managed a weak smile. “Promise.”
He studied her for a long moment, as if searching for cracks in the story she’d told him. Mallory forced herself to meet his gaze.
“I’m really tired,” she added. “It’s been a long night.”
Jakob hesitated.
“I could stay,” he offered. “Just until you fall asleep.”
Her heart squeezed.
Part of her desperately wanted to say yes and just let him stay with her and make everything feel less frightening.
But she couldn’t risk it, not when she needed to contact the unknown number again.
“I’m okay,” she said with more force. “Really. I just need to be alone.”
He looked a little hurt and disappointed, but he nodded.
“Lock the door,” Jakob said. “And call me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
