Chapter 56

The car sped through the city streets, headlights slicing through the darkness as Erica and Julian headed toward the docks. Erica’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, her knuckles white as she tried to focus on the task ahead. The kiss between her and Julian lingered in the back of her mind, but she shoved it down. She couldn’t afford any distractions—not now.

Julian sat beside her, silent but tense. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, but Erica could sense the same storm of emotions swirling inside him. They had crossed a line, one that neither of them could easily retreat from. But there wasn’t time to think about that now. Ophelia’s people were on the move, and if they didn’t stop them, everything they had been fighting for could be lost.

The docks came into view, a series of looming warehouses and shadowy figures moving in the distance. Erica parked the car in a secluded spot, and they both stepped out into the cold night air, the salty smell of the sea filling their lungs.