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It all feels like a dream.

A nightmare.

She’s truly mine now. The Sacred Light won’t risk his identity being exposed. He has more to lose than just his life.

He’d lose Ava.

God, I still can’t believe it. The Sacred Light—Ava’s father. She really is the little girl from the island.

It doesn’t make sense. None of it does.

All I know is I fucking loathe the Sacred Light. He let Ava walk straight into the wolves’ den. His whisperers are everywhere at Thornecroft. He knew I took her as my captive—my virgin sacrifice—probably from the start. And he let it happen.

And when threatened with having her learn who he truly is, he handed her off to a murderer. Because he’s a fucking coward.He’d rather play the part of a loving father than do what a real one should.

Ava deserves none of this. She should never have been part of this twisted world. She deserves freedom.

And I’m going to give it to her.

I’ll tear myself open if that’s what it takes.

It might be the end of me, but it’ll be the beginning of her.

“Are you hurt?” I grab her hands and inspect them. Her wrists are red from whatever they used to restrain her.

These hands I hold—these precious hands… I’ll be living a long life without their touch on my skin. I won’t be able to put a gun to my head once she’s gone from my life. No. I’ll have to be around to make sure she’s safe. I’ll have to keep on living.

A miserable, interminable life.

“No.” She pulls her hands back, but I catch them again. I need to hold them as often as I can for as long as I can. “More blankets,” I bark over my shoulder. “And get her water. Now.”

“Damian.” Her voice is scolding. “I’m not hurt.”

Oh, that sweet voice.

What will I do without it?

I’ll keep moving, but there won’t be anything left beneath the surface. Just the echo of what used to live there.

“You could be in shock,” I say, my voice cracking. “You might not feel the pain yet.”

She sighs. “I am in shock, but I’m not physically hurt.”

There’s a strange note in her voice… I search her face. “Precious girl, what are you in shock about?”

When she looks up at me, her eyes grow misty, and her chin wobbles. “Damian, I know. I know the Sacred Light is my dad.”

The breath leaves my lungs. “How?” I rasp.

She glances over her shoulder, and her eyes grow unfocused. “He called me Bug. I don’t think he realized he said it. I thought that was how you figured it out too.”

I swallow. “I did catch that, but there were a lot of other… Oh God, there’s so much. I still can’t believe it. But, Ava… Fuck, I wanted to tell you more gently. To prepare you. You were so close to your dad. And he did this to you.” I shake my head. “The people who were supposed to love and protect you have all betrayed?—”

I can’t say more. I’m going to lose it.

She places her hand on my cheek, and I lean into her touch.

Oh God, this will be gone.