Continuation from Chapter 124
Behind me, I heard Lucian's sharp intake of breath. He was on his feet in an instant.
"Maeve," Lucian's voice was barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of a command. "Step back."
But I couldn't move.
Aldric's gaze held mine, and there was something in his expression that made my skin crawl. The trembling seemed theatrical now, the fear too perfectly performed. Like an actor who'd rehearsed his lines but couldn't quite nail the emotion.
"Please," Aldric continued, his voice cracking in all the right places. "I just need somewhere safe. Just for tonight. They might come back."
Dad appeared at my shoulder, his protective instincts kicking in despite not knowing the full story. "Son, what happened? Who attacked you?"
Aldric's eyes flicked to my father, and for just a split second, I saw something cold flash across his features before the mask of terror slipped back into place.
