Chapter 238

Jacob's Perspective The smell in the motel room was a mix of mildew and cheap industrial cleaner that made the back of my throat itch. I sat in the wobbly chair by the window, watching Celena. She was curled on the edge of the bed, meticulously cleaning her dagger under the sickly yellow glow of the lampshade. The blade caught the light in cold, sharp arcs. Her movements were focused, but I knew her mind was miles away. A faint frown creased her brow. She was worrying. I needed to distract her, or at least remind her I was right here, no matter what. I was about to say something stupid—maybe ask if she wanted to brave the plastic-looking donuts from the vending machine downstairs—when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Not a call. A text. From Lily. The sound made both of us look up, our eyes meeting across the dim room. “Lily,” I said, pulling out the phone and unlocking it. Celena immediately set her dagger down and moved to my side. The message was long, broken into se