Chapter 168

Celine

The forest seems to be holding its breath along with us. I can feel the tension humming through the air, skittering over my skin like static. My grip tightens on the frostbloom without me meaning it to. The blade hangs loose at my side—not raised, not hidden. Honest.

Victor’s eyes drop to it anyway.

“You won’t win,” he says calmly. Not a threat. A fact. “Not if you try.”

“I didn’t come