جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

Selena's POVMelinda was on her knees. A blade pressed against her throat. Her eyes were wide with terror.Mason's voice echoed from the shadows. "Try to save her, Scarlet. If you can."I scanned the darkness. Searching for any sign of him.He was gone.But Melinda was still here. Still alive. Still in danger.I moved toward her. Slow. Careful."Don't come closer," she whispered. "He's still here. I can feel him.""I know." I kept my blade raised. "But I'm not leaving you."The shadows shifted.Mason emerged from behind a pillar. His face was twisted with rage."You should have run," he said. "You should have saved yourself.""I don't run.""Then you die."He lunged.I blocked. The force of his strike sent me stumbling back.Melinda scrambled to her feet. Grabbed a fallen blade."Melinda, get back!" I shouted."No." Her voice was steady. "I'm not running either."She charged.Mason turned. His blade met hers."You think you can hurt me?" he laughed. "You're nothing. You've always been

Selena's POVThe world was dark.Cold. Silent.I floated in nothingness. No pain. No fear. Just emptiness.Then I heard it. A voice. Distant. Desperate."Selena. Selena, wake up. Please."Ian.I tried to open my eyes. They wouldn't move."Selena, I can't lose you. I can't lose the baby. Please."The baby.I forced my eyes open.Ian's face swam into view. Pale. Tear-streaked."Selena." He grabbed my hand. "You're awake. You're alive.""What happened?""Mason. He stabbed you. You've been unconscious for two days."Two days.I tried to sit up. Pain exploded through my side."Don't move," Ian said. "The healer said you need to rest.""The baby—""The baby is fine. You're both fine."I collapsed back onto the bed. Relief flooding through me."Mason?""Gone. He escaped. Again."I closed my eyes."I'm sorry," I said. "I should have killed him when I had the chance.""You should have stayed back. You should have let me handle it.""Ian—""You almost died, Selena. You almost died." His voice c

Selena's POVThe Hidden Woods.Mason was heading toward the Hidden Woods.My heart stopped."The refugees," I said. "The people hiding there. He's going to—""I know." Ian grabbed my hand. "We need to move. Now."We ran.Warriors gathered behind us. Horses were saddled. Supplies were packed.But I knew we wouldn't be fast enough.Mason had a head start. Hours. Maybe days.And the Hidden Woods were vulnerable.---Razor's Voice"Selena, breathe.""I can't.""You need to think clearly.""I can't think clearly. He's going to kill them. All of them.""Not if we get there first.""We can't get there first. He's already gone.""Then we find another way.""What way?""You know the terrain. You know the tunnels. You know the shortcuts."I stopped. Looked at the wolf inside me."The tunnels," I said. "The ones Raven showed me.""Yes.""They'll cut days off the journey.""Exactly."I turned to Ian."I know a way," I said. "A faster way. Through the mountain tunnels."Ian's eyes narrowed. "Are t

Selena's POVThe messenger's words hung in the air."The evidence points to Raven."I stared at him. My blood was cold."That's impossible," I said. "Raven would never help Mason.""She was seen near his cell. The night he escaped.""Seen by who?""One of the guards. He recognized her."I shook my head. "No. There's been a mistake.""Selena—" Ian started."No. Raven is my sister. She wouldn't do this."Ian took my hands. "I believe you. But we need to find her. We need to hear her side."I nodded. "Then we find her."---The search took two days.We scoured the territory. Every village. Every forest. Every hiding place.Raven was gone.I stood at the edge of the camp. Staring at the empty tents."She left," I said. "She ran.""Maybe she had a reason," Ian said."What reason?""I don't know. But we'll find out."I turned to him. "How?""By finding her."---Razor's Voice"Selena, you're hurting.""Yes.""Because you think she betrayed you.""I don't know what to think.""Then trust you

Selena's POVThe messenger arrived at noon.I was in the gardens, tending to the flowers. The baby was growing. I could feel every kick, every movement. Hope was strong."Selena," the messenger said. "There's someone here to see you.""Who?""A woman. She says she knew your mother."My heart stopped."Where is she?""The main hall. I can bring her to—""No." I stood. "I'll go to her."---The woman was old.Her hair was white. Her face was lined with wrinkles. But her eyes were sharp. They watched me as I walked in."Selena," she said. "You look just like her."My voice caught. "You knew my mother?""I was her friend. Her confidant. We grew up together." She paused. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I was hiding. Afraid.""Afraid of what?""Afraid of the Northerners. Afraid of what they'd do to me if they found out who I was."I stepped closer. "You're from the South?""I was born in the South. I fled when the war started." She reached into her bag. "I have something for you."She pull