Fractured trust

 (Chapter 42:Mira's Pov) 

 Back at the safe house, the air felt heavier than before.

 I sat in front of the fireplace, watching the flames flicker, but I couldn't feel the warmth. It should have been comforting—after everything that had happened—but all I could hear were the whispers. Soft at first, like the rustling of leaves, then louder. Clearer.

You belong to us.

 I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms. The whispering voices had been relentless since we escaped. They curled around my thoughts, twisting them, filling the silence with doubt.

I should have killed him.

 That was the test. The price of my so-called loyalty. If I had done it, the whispers would have stopped.

But I couldn't.

And now, I was paying the price.

 Lorenzo stood across the room, arms crossed, watching me. He hadn't spoken much since we got back. He was studying me, analyzing every breath, every twitch of my fingers.