Ryder’s POV

The tension in the air crackled like electricity as I faced Morgan, his malevolence palpable and infectiously threatening. Still crouched over the king, Abbie was a mixture of shock and panic, her wide, terrified eyes flickering between Morgan and me as though we were two storms about to collide.

“Why did you let her go?” I demanded, stepping forward, my heart pounding as adrenaline surged. “What if she—”

“Don’t you get it, Ryder?” Morgan cut me off, voice low and dripping with contempt. “Eliza is a distraction. She’s nothing but a pawn in this game—one I can sacrifice if it means achieving my true goal. I’ve wasted enough...