My feet pounded against the damp ground as I ran ahead, the torchlight burnt brightly along the walls. The further I went, the colder the air beca, and the heavier my chest felt. My palms were clammy with sweat, my thoughts racing ahead of .
The guard kept his pace behind , not saying a word. I wasn’t even sure if he cared. Maybe he was ordered to follow . Maybe he was just amused.
We reached the final corridor. The path split in two directions, but I didn’t need to ask. I could hear the sound of soft weeping.
"They’re down that way," the guard said.
I nodded silently and made my way forward, my heart pounding harder with every step.
I finally saw them. Caroline sat in the corner of the cell, her arms wrapped around Lydia, who looked pale and tired. The bruises on their wrists from the silver cuffs were still visible.
"Caroline! Lydia!" I cried, rushing toward the bars.
Caroline looked up first, her face lighting up the second she saw . "Ember?"
Lydia stirred slowly, her gaze landing on . She tried to smile, but it faded as quickly as it ca.
"Oh my god, are you both okay? Did they hurt you again?" My hands gripped the bars tightly. A sizzling sound echoed through the air, my palms burned as if they were tossed into the fire.
I removed my hand, grimacing. When I looked down at my palm, it was glaring red back at .
"You are okay. Don’t touch the bar—it is made of silver," Caroline said with a cracked voice.
"I’m fine," I forced a smile on my face. I dropped my hands beside . The pain from the burn shot through my veins down to my spine.
She continued, "We’re alive, that’s all that matters," Caroline whispered. "But Ember... you shouldn’t be here. If they catch you talking to us..."
"I got five minutes," I interrupted. "He allowed it."
Caroline blinked. "He did?"
I nodded, swallowing back the emotions choking my throat. "I begged him."
Lydia looked at with wide, grateful eyes. "You shouldn’t have to do that. We’re the ones who dragged you into this."
"No, you didn’t." I shook my head fiercely. "You both did this to protect . You took risks for , and I... I won’t let them kill you. I won’t."
Their silence said more than words ever could.
I took a deep breath. "I’ll talk to him again. I’ll beg again if I have to. If he refuses, I’ll—I’ll find another way."
Caroline gave a knowing look. "Ember... you’re strong, but this world doesn’t bend for people like us. You’re just starting to understand that."
I bit my lip hard, tasting tal. "Then I’ll make it bend."
The guard cleared his throat behind . "Your ti is almost up."
"No, not yet—please," I whispered.
I walked closer to the bar. "Can you guys tell where you got the cloak from?" I whispered.
Lydia walked closer to . She stopped just a few inches away from the bar. "A woman in her middle age brought the cloak to us. She had this strange warmth about her... like a mother’s warmth. She said you will need it and we should bring it to you if we want you to survive."
My brows furrowed. "You know her?"
Lydia shook her head. "Unfortunately, I don’t... but she said you do."
"I do?"
Caroline nodded. "She said you both t when you went with Alpha Damon to resolve the flood situation. She said she helped you shower when you were injured."
The world around tilted for a mont. ’It was her? The mysterious woman who had put so crazy mark on my back, and had briefed on how the world worked.’
"Did she tell you where I can et with her?"
Caroline shook her head. "No, she didn’t say anything. She only said she will co to you if you need her help."
"Ti up," the guard said, walking up to .
’Shit, I wasn’t done with my questions yet.’
I nodded, quickly wiping my eyes. "I’ll be back. I promise."
As I turned to leave, I noticed the way they both watched —like I was the last light in a dark tunnel.
The walk back was quieter. Heavier. My steps dragged, but my mind was on a whirlwind. The thought of the mysterious woman and how to get Caroline and Lydia out flooded my head.
When I got out of the dungeon and reached the castle doors, I didn’t even wait for the guards to announce . I barged inside.
Damon stood by the window, staring out into the vast land like a brooding god. He didn’t move even when he heard the doors creak.
"I want to talk," I said.
"I’m listening," he replied without turning.
I walked closer, the marble floor cold beneath my feet. "Please don’t kill them."
He sighed. "We’ve had this conversation, Ember."
"Then let’s have it again," I said, standing my ground. "I’m asking you, not as your pet, not as soone who lives under your roof... but as a person who’s begging for rcy—please, reduce their sentence."
His gaze darkened. "rcy is not in my dictionary. rcy is for the weak."
"No," I said firmly. "If you show rcy, it shows you’re strong enough not to be ruled by fear. That you don’t need death to prove you’re in control."
He finally turned. His eyes were dark, unreadable. "You’ve got a sharp tongue when you want sothing."
"I’m only speaking the truth." I t his gaze. "If you kill them, what does that make you? You already know they didn’t hurt anyone. Their only cri was helping ."
He stared at for a long mont, his expression unreadable. Then he took a slow step forward.
"What punishnt do you suggest then?" His voice was low and dangerous, amusent dancing in his eyes.
I hesitated. "They can be stripped of their ranks... banished from serving in the castle, or given a difficult task to redeem themselves. Sothing... anything but death."
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