Chapter 39

Emily’s POV:

My breath hitched as Liam’s words sank in. The weight of them felt like a boulder crashing onto my chest.

“Everett…” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No…”

I had never met him, but Mia had told me enough. Everett had been loyal to Cassandra, a part of her schemes. He wasn’t innocent, but still… I killed him.

I stared down at my hands again, my fingers trembling. How could something that came from me, something that I couldn’t control, take someone’s life? I felt Rollins step closer, his warmth trying to soothe me, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the dread growing inside me.

"Emily," Liam's voice was soft, but there was something uneasy in his tone. "He wasn't one of us. Everett's betrayal... he deserved what came to him. But still, this power you have..."

I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears forming in my eyes. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to kill anyone.”

Rollins took my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “You didn’t know, Emily. You were trying to