Back in the clearing, Carlos lay with his eyes shut, fighting exhaustion, until a scream cut through the still morning. His head snapped up. "Maya." The name thundered through his mind. He was on his feet in seconds, scanning the forest, heart pounding. The sound had echoed, bouncing between the trees, but he didn’t care. He ran, chasing the voice, refusing to let it fade. Maya’s legs felt like they were made of lead, but she kept running. Each breath tore at her lungs, hot and ragged. Behind her, Nico’s voice rose above the sound of rushing blood in her ears. “This time, you won’t get away from me.” She stumbled onto the edge of a cliff, the roar of water swelling beneath her. Leaning forward, she saw nothing but churning, unforgiving currents. The drop was dizzying. One wrong move, and she’d be swallowed whole. Turning back, she saw him. Nico was moving toward her, his hand pressed against his neck where a makeshift cloth was still tied, the fabric soaked through with fres
Last Updated : 2025-08-16 Read more