She understood Elena's fear, but couldn't just show up and expect the Captain to give up Comfort & Crunch. "I'll try," she mouthed, and Elena gave a shaky nod. Her steps were a little stronger now, a little more confident.
But as Marron pressed deeper into the corridor, she knew the bitter truth. She didn't have a team to help Elena escape, and each step felt like cold betrayal. The bone shard at her hip pulsed erratically—warm approval one moment, cold reproach the next, as if it couldn't decide whether her choice was wisdom or cowardice.
Between you and me, she thought, looking at the bone shard. I don't know either. Maybe both.
The stealth broth still cloaked her movements, but guilt moved heavier than any armor. Elena's face burned in her memory: recognition and hope. She was praying that Marron would reveal herself and Elena could go free.
But she didn't sign up to get caught.
