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

The night was thick with the scent of blood.

Phileo moved like a phantom, weaving between the attackers. His blade caught the gleam of moonlight before plunging into another body. A sharp twist—**a gurgled cry—**then silence.

The Order wasn't made up of common mercenaries. These were trained killers, conditioned for one purpose—to eliminate threats like him.

Phileo shifted his stance, gray eyes scanning the battlefield. Evelyne was holding her own, but her movements were defensive. She was skilled—he had noticed—but her techniques weren't those of a seasoned killer.

Alsiel, on the other hand—he was toying with them. A flick of his fingers sent a blade flying from an opponent's grasp. Another twitch, and his enemy stumbled back, gripping his throat, choking on nothing.

"Alsiel," Phileo warned, parrying a strike. "No showing off."

Alsiel sighed, stepping aside as an enemy lunged at him—only to be met with his dagger between the ribs.

"Fine, fine." He kicked the body off his blade. "Just trying to keep things interesting."

Phileo barely had time to react before an arrow buried itself inches from his foot.

Evelyne turned, breathing hard. Alsiel frowned, flicking blood from his dagger.

From the darkness, Dorian stepped forward.

Phileo's grip on his sword tightened. "Back so soon?"

Dorian's golden eyes gleamed. "I never left."

He wasn't alone. More shadows moved behind him—reinforcements.

Phileo clenched his jaw. This was a setup.

Dorian tilted his head. "You're bleeding."

Phileo glanced down—a shallow cut on his arm. He hadn't even noticed.

Phileo exhaled slowly. They were outnumbered. Tired. He could fight, but not without consequences.

Phileo sheathed his sword. "Evelyne. Alsiel." His voice was even. "We're leaving."

Alsiel raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said no running."

Phileo turned his back on Dorian. A silent declaration.

"This isn't running," he muttered. "This is surviving."

Then, without another word, he walked away.

Dorian is playing a long game, letting them run but controlling where they go.

Chapter 30: A Hunter Among Prey