Kurtis POV
The night presses in around me, thick and suffocating, but my mind is sharper than ever. I can still feel the tension from the message vibrating in my hand. I know it’s a trap. But if it leads me to her…to Lyra…then I’ll walk straight into the lion’s den without a second thought.
My phone buzzes again, the shrill sound cutting through the stillness of the car. I check the message, expecting another taunt from the kidnappers. Instead, it’s an unknown number. My heart hammers in my chest as I answer.
“Speak.”
A distorted voice responds, cold and mechanical. “Kurtis, I trust you got our message?”
“Where is she?” I snap, gripping the steering wheel so hard it feels like it might break. “What do you want?”
A low chuckle comes through the line, chilling me to the bone. “Relax.
