Page 69 of House of Darkness

A dense silence fell between us, and Razvan’s jaw tightened. His hair was tied back in a tight bun, his usually neat clothes ruffled, exhaustion lining his eyes. He must have been worried about her.

I finally broke the silence. “How are the other two?”

One of the girls had died when Catina and Enso fought their way out. Another innocent girl lost to this monster, and because of our failures, he was free to do it again. The predator in me wanted to hunt him down, but the hand I now held chained me in place. I would never leave her undefended again.

“They’re as good as they can be. Traumatized, of course,” Razvan responded.

I nodded past the stone in my throat. Of course they were. Their system had failed them—I failed them—and because of that they would never be the same.

“How are you holding up?” Razvan asked.

I grit my teeth and gestured roughly to where Estrella lay. “I’m not the one you should be asking.”

“And yet, I am asking you,” Razvan replied gently.

“It doesn’t matter. I messed up, and she paid for it.”

“One’s hindsight is always clearer than foresight. You cannot blame yourself for what happened.”

Razvan was usually my voice of reason, the calm in a house full ofhotheads. It was one of the many reasons I brought him in, but right now, his rationality made me want to scream.

“I should have known. I’m the tsar, yet a traitor infiltrated my house because I was busy sulking over a girl who didn’t like me back. Maybe I’m too immature for this, and Estrella clearly isn’t safe with me.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t agree with any of that. You are a good leader, Roman. I’m eager to see what you do in power, and I’m glad to stand by you while you do it.”

His eyes trailed back to Estrella, and I followed his gaze. “And I don’t think Estrella would agree with you either. She’s going to wake up surrounded by a family that loves her and a man who has proven he would kill and die for her. If I know her as well as I think I do, she’ll bounce back from this and be even fiercer than before.”

I said nothing. I wasn’t sure what I’d say if I spoke. Though she would never admit it, I was sure a part of Estrella would always blame me, and she had every right to.

Razvan sighed. “You should at least shower and sleep for a few hours. I can keep an eye on her until you come back.”

I shook my head. “I’m not leaving her, especially with Codran still out there. Now she’s a target.”

“Roman, you look like you’re about to collapse. You won’t be any help to her if you continue like this.”

“No.”

“Fine, but you’ll need to eventually. Just call for me when you’re ready.” He kissed Estrella’s forehead before walking out.

Quiet settled over the room, broken only by Estrella’s weak heartbeat and unsteady breathing. I knelt beside the bed and let my head fall, tears finally breaking free and trailing down her battered skin.

“I’m so sorry.”

Chapter 35

ESTRELLA

For a single, blissful moment, I couldn’t remember what happened. Then the nightmares came crashing back, and I shot up in a panic.

“It’s okay—you’re okay. You’re home.”

I spun toward the distinctly male voice, my fist raised, determined not to let him touch me again. Bright afternoon light hit my eyes, forcing me to pause and take in the man next to me. I recognized the dollop of black curls and the wings. Roman. He found me.

My eyes scanned the room. My plants, the beloved paintings from Razvan, the arched windows—everything was just as I had left it. I was home. Home. My mind clung to the word, almost stuck on it.

My sister. The other girls. They had been my responsibility, and I wasn’t even sure they were safe. My heart raced as I looked back to Roman. “Are the other girls okay?”

Roman’s shoulders slumped. “Your sister and Charlotte are next door, but the other girl… Ava—she didn’t make it.”