Delilah's Pov

We ran.

The moment Verret's hand closed around mine, the world blurred into chaos. People screamed as we shoved through the crowd, vendors dropping their fruits, baskets flying into the air, startled faces turning toward us as we tore past them. My legs burned, my lungs ached, but Verret didn't slow down for a second. His grip on me was fierce, almost painful, but I didn't dare let go.

Behind us, boots pounded the ground. The men were chasing-more and more of them joining the hunt.

"Verret..." I gasped, struggling to breathe. "I'm sorry...my mask...I didn't mean..."

"Not now!" His voice was a growl, sharp, breathless. "Save your...