Chapter 72: Bond of Blood

Zande knelt on the bed at the back of the bus, her eyes fixed on the chaotic scene shrinking in the distance. Flashing lights from ambulances and police cars began to fade as the crowd slowly dispersed. Her mind raced, wondering if any of their attackers had escaped. Dedari was usually thorough, but she feared his attention might have been too focused on her, Prest, and Rich to ensure every threat was eliminated. The thought unsettled her. The bus rattled as Amia expertly maneuvered it through the winding roads, while Zande kept her gaze glued to the darkness behind them, searching for any sign they were being followed. A sudden tightness gripped her chest, and her heart began to pound with an overwhelming sense of alarm. She clenched the edge of the bed, struggling to understand the source of her unease. Why did she feel like she was leaving something—or someone—behind? Zande’s breath hitched as the realization hit her: *I cannot leave this place. I am tied to something here. No…*