amdauthor

Synopsis: The Sins That Bind Us

Phileo killed her family. Evelyne knows this. And yet—she walks beside him.

She should have hated him. She should have sought vengeance. But the world is never so simple. The man who tore her life apart is also the only one who can help her uncover the truth—the truth about why her parents were marked for death, the truth about the shadowed hands that still pull the strings from the dark.

But blood cannot be washed away so easily.

With every step, Phileo is forced to confront the weight of his sins, the ghost of the girl he left behind, now grown into a woman who refuses to break. Evelyne does not forgive. She does not forget. And though she needs him now, one day, she will have to decide—justice or survival.

Because when the past finally catches up to them, neither of them may walk away alive.

TruthUntold

A branch snapped in the distance.

Phileo's grip on Dorian didn't waver, but his gaze flicked toward the sound. They weren't alone.

Figures moved in the shadows. Silent, precise. The Order had arrived.

Evelyne tensed, her fingers curling around the hilt of her dagger. Alsiel, for once, wasn't making a joke. His hands rested at his sides, but Phileo knew he was ready.

Dorian gave a low chuckle. "You feel it, don't you?" His voice was edged with something dangerous. Excitement. "They've been waiting for you, Phileo."

Phileo released his hold, shoving Dorian back. "And yet they sent you first."

Dorian rolled his shoulder, smirking. "Wouldn't be much of a challenge otherwise."

The Order didn't move in yet. They were waiting. Watching.

Phileo exhaled slowly. No point in running.

He turned to Evelyne and Alsiel. They were in this now.

Alsiel cracked his neck. "Good. I was getting bored."

Evelyne tightened her grip. She didn't hesitate. "Then let's make it quick."

Dorian let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, I missed this."

Blades gleamed under the moonlight. Phileo moved first.

His sword met the first attacker mid-strike—a sharp, brutal counter. The force sent the man stumbling back, but another took his place.

Phileo sidestepped, twisting into a brutal slash. The second attacker barely had time to react before steel met flesh.

A choked gasp—then a body hitting the dirt.

Evelyne spun, ducking beneath a sword, her dagger slicing upward. A clean cut. Precise. The man crumpled.

Alsiel, now grinning, raised a hand. A flicker of energy. The next attacker froze mid-lunge—a moment's hesitation was all Alsiel needed. He slammed an elbow into the man's gut, sending him sprawling.

Phileo turned back to Dorian—but he was gone.

The bastard had slipped into the chaos.

Phileo clenched his jaw, slicing through another enemy.

Chapter 29: No Rest for the Wicked