CATRIONA

“What do you mean he’s at Gabriel’s house?” I asked slowly, like the words were foreign. Wrong. Misheard.

“I mean what I said,” Edrine replied. Calm. Too calm. “Abriel showed up about fifteen minutes ago. He’s safe. I was already at Gabriel’s place when he walked in—alone.”

Alone.

The word sucker-punched the air from my lungs.

“How?” I croaked. “How the hell did he even get there? Gabriel doesn’t live in this territory, Edrine. That’s two towns out—”

“I know,” he said. “That’s why I called.”

My throat tightened as I glanced up—Jayden was staring at me, unreadable. Godmother stood behind him, one hand pressed over her chest.

Lauren...