The room fell into a hush broken only by the soft crackle of the fire and Rose's uneven breathing. Then she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open suddenly.
"Rose?" Elara whispered, "how are you feeling?"
Her gaze darted to the door. "Caius said he has your parents."
"That's not possible," she whispered automatically, though her chest already burned with dread. "They were gone. The village-"
"I saw them. Caius took me to them," Rose interrupted softly, tears pooling in her eyes. "He showed me where they'll meet us if you escape. If we leave now..."
Her voice cracked.
"He said they'll live."
She sat by the narrow window of the tower room, watching the moon slide behind drifting clouds, listening to the quiets breaths of the fortress as though it were a living thing. The creak of stone, the distance howl of wolves, the soft rustle of wind brushing against the tower walls.
By dawn, Dante would return.
And her parents might have been killed. The choice clawed at her chest until it became unbearable. She turned slowly, eyes settling on Rose, who lay bundled beneath furs near the fire. Her breathing was shallow but steady. She rose silently, crossing the room and kneeling beside her.
"Rose,"
Rose eyes fluttered open instantly, as if she never truly slept.
"It's time."
"They'll be watching." She whispered back.
"Not in the back path," Elara said, helping her up. "Dante's men change shifts at moon-fall."
Minutes later, cloaked in shadow and silence, they slipped from the tower like ghosts. The night welcomed them with cold air and whispering trees. Elara shifted, and they followed the path Caius had described. As they reached, she shifted back, putting on the gown she tied on her wolf's leg.
"Elara..." Rose whispered.
Before she could answer, figures stepped from the trees. The circle closed fast, choking her. Caius emerged at last. He strolled forward as this were a celebration, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"Ah," he said pleasantly, "you came."
She spun toward Rose. "What did you do?"
Rose collapsed to her knees, sobbing. "I didn't have a choice, my child," she cried. " He has Mathias. He was going to kill him."
The words barely reached her.
"There were never any parents here," Caius said calmly. "But you knew that already, didn't you? You're smarter than that."
He stepped closer, reaching out. She backed away, but hands seized her arms, dragging her forward. "You think you could outmaneuver me?" he murmured in her ear. "You were always brave. Reckless. I admire that."
Silver cuffs snapped shut around her wrists. She hissed at the pain. As they hauled her away, she shut her eyes and reached inward, summoning the bond.
Dante.
Her thoughts tore through the connection like a scream.
The bond struck him like a blade to the chest. He staggered mid-step as the forest surrounding him blurred. He was almost home. But it felt as if he was breaking a territory. He shifted back as the old tower rose before him. The torches were lit. Too quiet.
Rowan stood near the entrance, pale as ash, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles has gone white. Lysa was beside him, rigid, her chin lifted as though she were bracing for a blow.
"Where is she?"
Rowan flinched.
Silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
"Answer me," Dante growled, the wolf pressing hard beneath his skin.
"She asked to stay with Rose," he said finally, voice shaking. "Then...then they were gone."
The world tilted.
"She's stubborn," Lysa said quickly, stepping forward before Rowan could say another word. "We all know she doesn't listen when she decides to do something. This isn't anyone's fault. She chose this path."
The stonewall cracked.
His fist slammed into it with a thunderous impact, dust and fragments raining down as the tower shuddered. Jax and Riven moved instantly.
"Dante," Jax said sharply. "Breathe."
'You lose control now, you lose everything."
"She's with Caius," he said, voice deadly calm beneath the fury. "I can feel her."
Rowan dropped to one knee. "I failed you." he whispered but Dante didn't look at him. He turned to the forest where his enemy ruled, where blood had been spilled and lies had rotten for too long.
"We go to him," Dante said.
Jax frowned. "That's suicide."
His lips curled in promise. "Then, we tear his kingdom apart."
Caius chambers were larger than any room she had ever stood in, all dark stone and burning braziers, the air heavy with smoke and dominance. The door slammed shut behind them, the sound echoing like a final judgement.
She was thrown on the bed. She caught herself, chains biting into her wrists as she spurn to face him. Her chest heaved, eyes blazing with fury.
"Untie me," she said hoarsely. "If you are brave enough."
He smiled. "How was your time with him?" he asked calmly removing his robe, advancing. "I gave you all you needed because you were always meant to be mine. Dante stole what was mine. And now, he'll learn what that costs."
He walked closer.
"Don't touch me," she warned.
He reached for her but she lunged forward, chains rattling as she swung her bound hands with every ounce of rage she possessed. Bone met flesh with a sickening crack.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth and he staggered back. For a heartbeat, the room went deadly still. He wiped the blood away with his thumb, staring at it as though wildly amused. When he looked back at her, his eyes were no longer normal.
"So," he said softly, "you still have fire."
His expression hardened. "Take her," he snapped.
The door opened. Two men stepped in, avoiding her eyes as they seized her arms.
"Put her in the cells," he ordered coldly. "Let each darkness teach her what defiance earns."
He met her gaze one last time as she was pulled away. "Common sense returns eventually," he said. "Everyone begs in the end."