chapter 26

Abbie Gannon tells me Azalea has been hurt because of me. Well, he doesn’t say directly that it’s my fault, but that’s how it feels. She wouldn’t be in this situation if not for me. The weight of guilt settles heavily on my shoulders as I realize she might have been spared if I had just listened to everybody and never followed Kade. It frustrates me that even in death, Kade’s influence lingers, casting shadows over my present, and preventing me from moving on. Gannon’s phone rings suddenly, and my gaze darts to where it rests. Damian’s face illuminates the screen, prompting Gannon to pull the car over to take his call. A sense of nervousness grows within me; Damian rarely calls instead of using the mindlink unless it’s urgent. I recall how Gannon reacted when informed about the council through the mindlink, nearly causing an accident. Perhaps that explains why Damian is opting for a conventional call this time. Gannon steps out of the car and perches on the hood while speaking on the p