My breath hitched slightly as I reached the top of the stairs, my hand tightening on the railing.
He had her.
Chained her to him in a way that had nothing to do with love—and everything to do with me.
Because of what I did to his sister. Because of the blood I spilled.
Guilt clawed at my insides, sharp and relentless, tearing through any attempt I made to hold myself together.
But then—
Beneath the guilt...
There was that fragile hope.
Violet would reveal where I was.
Ruslan would find me.
He would end this. He would take me in place of her.
My throat tightened painfully as I reached my door, my hand hovering over the handle for a moment.
I whispered her name under my breath again.
“Elena...”
Soft. Fragile.
Almost afraid to say it too loudly—as if speaking her name could somehow bring more harm to her.
“My sweet, untouched sister...”
My voice broke slightly.
I pressed my forehead against the door, closing my eyes as a sharp wave of emotion hit me—too much, too fast, too overwhelming to hold back.
What was happening to her right now?
Was she scared?
Was she hurt?
Was she being broken in ways I couldn’t see?
The thought alone made my chest ache.
But if Ruslan didn’t find me in time—
If no one came—
Then I wasn’t sure I could carry this weight much longer.
And that was the most terrifying thought of all.
Chapter 26
ELENA
