Lena excused herself to pick up the call. At first, her expression was neutral, then it shifted. Her brows drew together, and she pressed her lips tightly. By the time she ended the call, her face had gone pale. Theon watched from a distance, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Something about the way she stood there—tense and shaken, set something off in him. His jaw clenched. The tightness in his chest grew worse. He quickly looked away, and walked further down the beach.

—

A few minutes later, footsteps rushed across the sand. “Theon—” He stopped. Lena reached him, slightly out of breath. Her fingers curled into her shirt as...