Chapter 34 Missing

(Arlo)

I moved silently through the shadows. Every step felt heavy, burdened by the weight of the deal I’d made. It wasn’t as if I’d had a choice, but it felt wrong nonetheless.

Cerelia’s trail was easy to follow. Her scent lingered in the air, mixed with the salt of fresh tears. She was upset, and she was alone. That made her vulnerable.

I watched her storm away from the cabin. I heard her cry about Soren’s betrayal. It broke me, too. Soren’s betrayal was Hilda’s betrayal. But I didn’t blame her. Not entirely. She was his captive. She would do what she had to in order to stay alive. It was my job to keep her safe.

I would keep her safe. I had made a deal, and now I had to follow through.

The clearing ahead was bathed in light, and I saw her, standing by the edge of the trees. Her back was to me and she didn’t hear me approach, lost in her own thoughts and grief.

I felt guilty. This wasn’t the first time I’d given someone over to my mother, and I doubted it would be the las