POV: Jared
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside. I couldn't sleep. Not with everything Nova had told me swirling in my head like a storm. Asher's bloodline, Xaden's obsession, the way all of this had spiraled out of control. I sat against the wall, fingers twitching against my thigh, my eyes fixed on the door like it might burst open at any second.
Zina and Asher lay curled up on the mattress, Zina's arm wrapped protectively around him, her face lined with exhaustion. I wanted to let them rest, but the weight in my chest wouldn't let me relax. Not when danger felt this close.
Across the room, Nova sat by the window, methodically sharpening her knife. The metal scraped against stone, the sound grating against my nerves. She didn't even flinch as I stood and crossed the room to her.
"You really think they'll come tonight?" I whispered.
Nova didn't look at me. "They'll come."
I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. "You knew Xaden, didn't you?"
