The gunshot still rings in my ears long after the forest falls silent again. The injured guard presses a hand against his shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers. He grinds his teeth, trying to stay upright.
“Stay with me,” I say, gripping his arm to steady him.
He nods once, jaw clenched, breath ragged.
The other guard scans the trees with his weapon raised. “Sir, we need to move him. Now.”
I look toward the shadows where Adrian vanished. Not a single leaf stirs. He is gone. Slipped deeper into the woods while we scrambled to avoid the shot. It was never meant to kill. It was meant to distract. To disorient. To make me react.
And I did. I shouted Elena’s name. I gave him what he wanted.
Fury rises hot in my throat.
“Move,” I order.
We lift the injured man between us and begin
