Chapter 20 Danger

• The next day dawned with a heavy weight on my shoulders, the tension between Duke and me was almost tangible. I had promised not to keep secrets, yet the truth about my meeting with Gabriel weighed on me like a stone in my gut. As we gathered our supplies to meet Lyra and set out again, Duke's watchful gaze didn't escape me, his concern etched deeply into his features.
• "Are you sure you're okay?" Duke asked quietly, his voice laced with worry as he checked our provisions.
• I nodded, trying to muster a reassuring smile despite the turmoil inside. "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.