CHAPTER NINETEEN - LOVE NEVER COMES WITHOUT A COST

Lucas gritted his teeth, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Every movement sent jolts of pain through his body, but he pushed through it. "Where do you think you're going?" Christine demanded, rushing to his side. "I have to find her, Mom," Lucas said, his voice strained. "I can't just sit here while Aria's in danger." Christine placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You're in no condition to go anywhere, Lucas. The silver poisoning-" Lucas shrugged her off, standing on shaky legs. "I don't care about the silver. Aria needs me." "And what good will you be to her if you collapse before you even leave our territory?" Christine argued. Lucas paused, knowing his mother had a point. "Then help me. Please, Mom. I can't lose her." Christine sighed, her resolve weakening at the desperation in her son's eyes. "Fine. But you're not going alone. I'll gather a search party." As Christine left to make arrangements, Lucas clutched Aria's letter, rereading her words. "I understand now,