Chapter 24

VAKERIA'S POV “Going somewhere?” a low, mocking voice drawled from above me, its tone soaked in malice. My heart pounded against my ribs as I thrashed against the weight pinning me to the ground. My hands clawed at the dirt beneath me, but it was no use. Whoever this was, they were stronger, faster—and clearly not here for a friendly chat. “Let me go!” I hissed, forcing as much defiance into my voice as I could muster. Fear, however, laced my tone, betraying my bravado. A dark chuckle echoed above me, and I felt the unwelcome sensation of their breath near my ear. “You think we’d just let you leave? Not after what you did.” “I didn’t mean to—” I began, but my words were cut off as a rough hand clamped around my arm, yanking me upright with a force that left me staggering. Blinking against the blur of movement, I found myself face-to-face with my attacker. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick canopy above, but it was enough to make out his face—a face I recognized. He wasn’t