“More like hiding.” Her voice carries sadness.
“From Soter?”
She exhales. “Who else?”
“Can I join you? I’d love to avoid him, too.” Soter and I have never gotten along and having him in charge when my son’s life hangs in the balance broke something inside me tonight. Wilder might have forgiven him for all the terrible things he’s done, but that doesn’t mean I have. More than just commiserating about our mutual hatred for Soter, I need Sol’s help.
“I doubt I’ll be good company.”
I sit beside her, noticing mascara smudges beneath her eyes. Whatever Soter did to her, he’ll pay for it later. Right now, I need her on my side.
“Do you ever wonder if you’re making a mistake,” she says, “but the thought of not continuing makes you feel empty inside?”
I nod, thinking of every doubt I’ve had about becoming a father. “All the time.”
“Gods, I hate him.”
“Soter?” We’re still talking about him?
She nods.
“Sol, what’s going on between you two?—”
Her eyes go wide. “Did he say something?”
“About you? No.”
Her shoulders sag. “Oh.”
Before I can press further, she tilts her head. “Do you hear that?”
“Probably just an owl.” I need to focus her, convince her to help me save Fynn.
“That’s not it.” She rises, dusting off her fatigues. She disappears behind a tree. “Wait. There it is again. It sounds like…”
She vanishes into the darkness.
I frown, following. Then I hear it, too—a sound that stops my heart.
Crying.
“Is someone crying?” I call after her, pushing through low-hanging branches.
Isolde gasps. “It’s the missing boy,” she calls, voice catching with disbelief.
“Fynn?”
I break into a run, ignoring the sting of twigs raking my skin. Nothing matters except reaching him.
Please let it be him. Please let my son be safe.
My heart poundsagainst my ribs. I think I’ve found Fynn, and Kosac is going to lead us to him. He’s somewhere near the river, and if we go now, we’ll see him, rescue him, and go home.
I reach for the door handle of the guard’s office, but Wilder grips my wrist.
“What are you doing?”
“Fynn! We need to follow them to the river. They think I’ve found him.”
