Chapter 26

I recognized that voice— the polite, observant voice that belonged to Jackson. He stepped out of the shadows and the light finally illuminated his face, confirming my guess. I glanced behind him, half expecting Malekh to pop out too. “I’m alone,” Jackson said, as if reading my thoughts. “Jackson… we’ve come to escort you back to Crysauralia,” CaVaughn informed him. “I left because I wanted to,” Jackson explained patiently. “I have no intention of coming back with you.” There was something off. I glanced around and I was sure CaVaughn must have noticed it too. Jackson wasn’t surprised. It was like he was expecting us, as if he came to greet us himself. I wondered if Jun had been right about an ambush. I winced as another piercing cry cut through the night. CaVaughn kept his gaze leveled at Jackson. My mind flashed to Kristof and Raúl’s team. I couldn’t bear the thought of any of them getting hurt. “I apologize for your injuries, Elizabeth,” Jackson said, turning to me. “But this was the