Chapter 24: Premonition of Unease

Elina’s POV

What could be more bitter than knowing you were the cause of your loved one’s suffering, yet unable to help—or even stand by them?

Worse, the power to cure Ryan was inside me, but I didn’t know how to use it. It sat there, useless, like a locked door I couldn’t open.

To say I felt like shit was an understatement. That word was way too small for the storm tearing me up inside.

Adam hovered nearby—not stiff like a soldier, but always close. He wasn’t hovering to trap me. More like… he was keeping an eye out, the way someone might trail behind a drunk friend at a party, ready to catch them if they face-planted. Always watching, always prepared, but pretending not to be.

I hated that he was probably right about me. I hated even more that I couldn’t seem to pull myself together. I was exhausted. In pain. Lost. And completely drowning in this aching need to see Ryan.

I’d never wished for teleportation powers more in my life.

“Ryan will be fine, Elina. Trust me.”