chapter 80

Kurtis

The night presses in around me, thick and suffocating, but my mind is sharper than ever. I can still feel the tension from the message vibrating in my hand. I know it’s a trap. But if it leads me to her…to Lyra…then I’ll walk straight into the lion’s den without a second thought.

My phone buzzes again, the shrill sound cutting through the stillness of the car. I check the message, expecting another taunt from the kidnappers. Instead, it’s an unknown number. My heart hammers in my chest as I answer.

“Speak.”

A distorted voice responds, cold and mechanical. “Kurtis, I trust you got our message?”

“Where is she?” I snap, gripping the steering wheel so hard it feels like it might break. “What do you want?”

A low chuckle comes through the line, chilling me to the bone. “Relax. Lyra’s alive…for now. But her time is running out. You know what we want, Kurtis.”

“I swear if you hurt her”

“Calm down, hero,” the voice interrupts, almost bored. “We’re not interested in harming her, yet. Wha