Chapter 24

Clara

He was safe.

Alive.

Wrapped in my arms. Breathing, warm, little heart thudding against my palm. Alive, safe, here.

“Leo. Leo.” Panic still clutched my throat in a brutal vice, choking out the sobs, the words built up in my chest. “I thought … I thought they …”

My words came out in shattered, ragged fragments. Unformed thoughts broken by fear and relief. I couldn’t hold him tight enough, coul