Faye's POV
The blood on Hillary's face had begun to dry into dark streaks, marking where Hardy's blade had found its target. Her voice came out broken, each word a struggle between gasping breaths and the weight of her confession.
"Matron Kyra sent me here," she whispered, her body trembling against the stone wall. "She told me you were conspiring with witches. Said the Stormhaven bloodline served the western kingdoms, not our werewolf king. She never mentioned you were one of them yourself."
I remained motionless, waiting for Hardy's signal to heal her wounds. But he gave none, so I listened as Hillary's hatred burned through her exhaustion.
Her swollen eyes found Hardy behind me, blazing with defiance despite her broken state. "Kill me now. End this charade."
Hardy's expression revealed nothing. His sword rested casually at his side, as if her desperate plea meant less than nothing to him. The silence stretched between us until Hillary found her voice again.
