Chapter 254: The Only Way

Tessa

I paced back and forth across the small forest clearing, dead leaves crunching under my feet with each step. Seven fifty-eight. Just two more minutes until we would know if my father would actually show up, or if this whole thing was just another disappointment to add to the pile.

Gideon was standing near the edge of the clearing, shoulders rigid and face set in a grimace. I knew, even witho