Riley's POV

I raised the knife.

For a brief second, everything lined up. Emberkin on the ground. The guards standing by the doors. Ethan, Daphne, and Wendy frozen where they were and Summer just behind me.

I was about to drive the blade down when I stopped.

The movement came suddenly, like something in me pulled back at the last second.

I turned my head and looked at Summer.

She was still watching me, her expression calm but focused. She understood what I was about to do. She had seen enough already.

I held her gaze for a moment, then I gave a small smile.

"I do not want you...