Chapter 126: Sorrows, Sorrows, Prayers

XENOIS

The hope in her voice broke something inside my chest. "We were hoping you could tell us," I said gently. "What happened? Where is he?"

Sophia's face crumpled as the reality of the situation hit her. "They took him," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "The rogues, they took my baby. I tried to fight them, I tried to protect him, but there were too many of them."

"Riley!" she suddenly screamed, the sound echoing through the forest. "Riley, where are you? Mommy's here!"

I pulled her against my chest, trying to offer what comfort I could while my own heart was breaking....