Chapter 96

ELIZA’S POV Alexander’s mind-link had come through mere moments ago. He told me that Victor wanted a private conversation. It wasn’t a request I’d find unusual, but it still had the power to tighten the knot in my stomach. I wasn’t surprised, not really. I’d expected something like this. But as always, it was the quiet moments, the ones in between the decisions and the battles, that were the hardest. I didn’t want to face Victor, not really, not after everything that had happened. But I would. I would, because I knew there were truths that still needed to be laid bare, and if there was any chance at peace, at even the smallest bit of reconciliation, it started with confronting what we couldn’t change. “Derek,” I said, turning to him as he stood beside me. “Yes, Eliza?” “I need you to come with me,” I said. I wanted Derek to come with me as my escort because I knew Derek needed to witness certain things with his own eyes to truly understand the truth. He didn’t question me. He simply no