Chapter 120
Emily’s POV
The trial left me shaking
The courtyard was a mess of noise and movement. Rogues were everywhere, watching me like my suffering was nothing more than entertainment for them.
I had barely stepped off the ritual platform, walking through the crowd of rogues as they parted for me on my way
back to the castle, when a hand clamped around my wrist.
I jerked back, ready to fight.
“Five minutes. Lower floor restroom.”
The whisper was gone as soon as it hit my ear. The person vanished into the crowd before the guards even turned
heir heads.
tyan.
My heart began to drum a frantic rhythm. The rogue beside me shoved my shoulder.
Move.”
I forced my expression to stay flat. I didn’t look back. I didn’t scan the crowd. I just kept walking. We passed hrough the massive black gates, and the sudden warmth of the castle felt heavy against my skin.
As we crossed the lower corridor, I caught a glimpse of him. Ryan walked ahead of us, acting casual, before urning into a side hall without a single glance my way.
The guards kept me moving, their boots echoing on the stone. Finally, I stopped and pressed a hand against my tomach, forcing a grimace.
“Oh Goddess…”
The rogue’s brow furrowed. “What now?”
“I think something’s wrong.” I leaned forward, acting like a sharp cramp had just hit me. “My stomach-”
The guard looked away, clearly annoyed and uncomfortable.
“I need the restroom. Now.”
He let out a long, frustrated breath. “Hurry up.”
I didn’t wait. I slipped inside the heavy door and slid the lock home.
The room was empty except for Ryan. The second he saw me, he looked relieved.
And terrified.
1:34 pm P PTM
Ryan immediately glanced over his shoulder toward the door like he expected Declan to appear at any moment.
“What do you want, Ryan?” I crossed my arms, keeping my voice low and ice–cold. “We’re pushing our luck. If Declan catches you near me again, I won’t be able to stop him from ripping your throat out.”
A flicker of real pain crossed his face.
“The
“The witch has Beatrice’s blood,” he said, his voice barely audible.
My pulse stumbled. “What?”
“She took it months ago.” His jaw clenched hard. “And now she tied the twins to it somehow. If I betray the ogues, the curse activates.”
Ice spread slowly through my stomach.
“She told me the babies would rot inside her.” Ryan’s voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t have a choice, Emily.”
For a heartbeat, I didn’t hate him. Not because he was right, but because I knew what these witches were capable
›f.
Ryan took a step closer. “But Declan…” He shook his head. “He’s worse than Silas ever was. He doesn’t want erritory or a pack. He wants complete world control.”
“I know one of the active portals.” Ryan whispered suddenly.
Hope slammed into me, but right behind it came a cold sting of suspicion. “Why now? Why help me today?”
Ryan’s eyes went dark. “Because I see what he’s becoming. I chose the wrong side. If Declan descends further into nadness, nothing will stop him from killing my family for no reason. No one will be safe.”
Silence stretched between us while my mind tried to catch up with everything he’d just said. I had to decide if ould actually trust my ex after the years of lies, the betrayal, and the way he helped them kidnap me.
Ryan leaned in closer. He was desperate. “But before I go to Nathan, I need something from you.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“The witch keeps Beatrice’s blood in a black glass vial. As long as she has it, she controls the twins. She can kill
hem whenever she wants.”
A cold chill ran through me.
“She keeps it close,” Ryan continued, “Probably in her private rooms or where she does her rituals. I can’t get hear it without getting caught.”
“And you think I can?” I snapped.
“You’re the only person Declan lets near the inner chambers now.”
The words turned my stomach because I knew he was right.
1:34 pm PPT
If you steal the vial and bring it to me, I’H go to Nathan myself,” Ryan said.
I looked at him coldly “Nathan will kill you the second you show your face if he finds out you helped kidnap me. He’ll never believe you. He’ll think you’re a liar and that this is a trap.”
Ryan flinched, his eyes darting to the door. “I know. You’re right. That’s why I need something from you–proof that you’re alive and that you trust me.”
I reached into the hidden pocket of my dress and pulled out a folded sketch.
Nathan.
Just looking at his face made my chest ache. I looked at the bottom of the page and grabbed a small piece of
charcoal from my pocket. My fingers were unsteady as I wrote:
Trust him. I’m alive. – Emily
I folded the paper and pressed it into Ryan’s hand. “Give him this first. He’ll know my handwriting. He’ll know it’s
real.
Ryan stared at the sketch for a second before hiding it deep inside his jacket. “If Declan finds this on me,” he said quietly, “I’m a dead man.”
I looked him straight in the eyes. “Then don’t let him find it.”
The second I stepped away from Ryan, a heavy fist hammered against the wood.
“What’s taking so long in there?”
The rogue sounded like he was ready to kick the door off its hinges. I slid the lock back and pulled it open before
ne could try.
“I’m coming. Relax.”
The guard’s eyes scanned past me into the restroom. Ryan was already hidden. Good.
I crossed my arms irritably. “Find something interesting?”
The rogue’s face twisted in discomfort.
Perfect.
Without another word, he escorted me back through the castle corridors and all the way to my room before finally leaving me alone for the night.
The heavy doors shut behind him.
I leaned my back against the wood, the stillness of the room finally pressing in on me. Goddess, please let this work. Don’t let Ryan betray me.