Chapter 40 : Reunion

Seraphina's POV

We were out of time.

I didn't sleep at all last night, and neither did Kit. We were both too anxious for the drive through the Blood Moon packlands. Part of me was buzzing with excitement to see Annika and hold her in my arms again.

But the bigger, louder part of me kept telling me this wasn't a reunion. It was a walk to the gallows.

If this went poorly, I would be dead, Kit would shortly follow and Annika would be raised by a monster. Forced to carry out William's legacy under the lens of it being an honor. He would have taken her from me, completely.

We didn't take much with us. A few changes of clothing. A few snacks. The carved turtle in one of my pockets. A discrete chain of silver in the other. I had all intention of stuffing William's mouth with it if I got close enough to him.

Thoughts of Annika tucked away safely in my arms kept me anchored. Adrenaline rushed through my ears, and my knuckles white in my lap. But I had to hold onto the anger flarin