CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - A CHOICE THAT CAN’T BE UNDONE

Aria's heart pounded as she made her choice. She couldn't leave Lucas, not like this. With a strength born of desperation, she hoisted his larger frame onto her shoulders. "Aria," Lucas groaned, his voice weak. "What are you doing? You need to go..." "Shut up," Aria grunted, staggering under his weight. "I'm not leaving you." She could hear Christine's guards getting closer, their wolfish snarls echoing through the trees. Gritting her teeth, Aria pushed forward, her eyes scanning the dark forest for shelter. "There," she whispered, spotting an old hunting cabin. "Just hold on, Lucas." Aria's assassin training kicked in as she moved swiftly and silently through the underbrush. She reached the cabin just as the sounds of pursuit grew dangerously close. Inside, Aria laid Lucas gently on a dusty old cot. His skin was pale, sweat beading on his forehead as the silver poison worked its way through his system. "Aria," he mumbled, his golden eyes unfocused. "You should have run..." She