The Hollow Surrender

Another crack rang out, as crisp and merciless as ice shattering in the dead of winter.

“So that’s your plan—follow in your father’s footprints and force a child to grow up bearing your scars?” Sloane’s voice was arctic, every word a blade.

Killian froze, spine locking straight as a post. All color drained from his face in a single brutal heartbeat.

He had sworn, with every breath, that he was not