“One is my master, Aurelius. The other is Alicia.

    “Aurelius? You mean the Wandering Hakim people btalk /babout?” Sebastian asked,

    “Yes. He was one of my masters too. But it’s toote to find him now. If we can track down Alicia, maybe my brother still bhas /ba chance. I only know a little about this field, but Alicia trained deeply under him. She’ll know what to do.”

    Zeke’s brow furrowed, the tension in his face hard as stone. “Then we find Alicia. I’ll lead the search myself.”

    “Let’s wait until nightfall and check that bar again,” Caitlin said. “If she’s still performing, we’ll see her?

    It was the only hope they had. Silence fell across the hospital broom/b. The joy of reuniting with their mother was already eclipsed by James’s condition. If he were healthy, they would all be back at the hotel bsharing /ba meal together. Now, everything hinged on finding Alicia.

    As the sun sank and night swept across Ebonreach Isle, Caitlin asked Sebastian and her mother to stay at the hospital with James bwhile /bshe went with Zeke to search.

    Themercial district bwas /balive with lights and music. Neon bled bacross /bthe streets, tourists packed into bars and restaurants. Caitlin and Zeke returned to the same bar from the night before, slipping inside and waiting at aer table.

    By ten o’clock, the music shifted. Lights dimmed. A sultry silhouette appeared on stage, hips swaying in rhythm to pounding beats.

    The bcrowd /berupted. Whistles pierced the air. Men cheered and threw tips toward the stage, swept up in the intoxicating heat of her dance.

    At their table, Zeke’s eyes locked on the dancer. His body bsat /bmotionless, but inside his chest, his heart hammered with brutal force.

    It was her.

    It was Alicia.

    The lighting wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t need it. On her left breast, just above the heart, was a tattoo. A single

    letter: Z.

    He remembered that night, his birthday. She’d revealed the tattoo with a mischievous smile, telling him she’d branded him into her skin forever. bAnd /bhe… he had shouted at her, crushed her joy, and she had run into the rain crying. The memory wed at his throat.

    “Zeke,” Caitlin whispered beside him. “Is it her? Is it Alicia?”

    His lips trembled, but he didn’t answer. He simply stood, climbed onto the stage, and seized the girl’s wrist.

    before she could react.

    “Hey! Let go! What are you doing?” she snapped, trying to yank free.

    16:08 Tue, Sep by /b

    The bar erupted in protest at the disruption. The owner stormed out with several bouncers.

    Before they could interfere, Caitlin stepped forward, shing a thick wad of cash. “She won’t be dancing here again. Consider our cooperation finished.”

    The man faltered, greed oveing suspicion. He snatched the money. When his bouncers moved, Tyler and bVaughn /bblocked them with cold, lethal stares. The owner swallowed his anger. Whatever these people. were, he wanted no part of it.

    Zeke dragged the girl out, his grip crushing, ignoring herints as he hauled her down the dark streets. Finally, when they reached the quieter stretch of beach, he stopped.

    “Why are you still holding me?” the girl demanded, twisting her arm.

    Zeke turned to face her, voice hoarse. “Alicia”

    Her brows knitted. She jerked free and snapped, “Who the hell is Alicia? You’ve got the wrong person!”

    She tried to bolt, but Zeke caught her again, gripping both wrists. His gaze bore into herb, /braw and pleading. “It’s you. I know it’s you. I’m Zeke. We grew up together. No matter what makeup you wear, I’d know you anywhere. Stop running, Alicia. Please.”

    Her face hardened. “I told you, I’m Ava. Not Alicia.”

    “Don’t lie to me. I don’t believe it.” His voice cracked, his chest rising with sharp, painful breaths. “You vanished after saving me from Graystone Castle. They said you died in the explosion near the Yosef River, but I knew… I bknew /byou were alive.”

    He pulled a silver pocket watch from his coat. b“/bbAnd /bthis. Do you remember? You had these words engraved: Never Forget Me. You told me to keep you close, always. How could you forget me?”

    His hand trembled as he pointed to her tattoo. “And that Z over your heart… my birthday gift. You said you’d carry me with you forever. Don’t tell me that meant nothing.”

    His tears spilled freely. The pain of losing her, the years of torment, the miracle of seeing her again–it all

    collided binside /bhim.

    Caitlin and the others stood back, watching silently from a distance.

    For a long momentb, /bAlicia just stared at him, her eyes shimmering. And then her defenses shattered. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

    Zeke’s lips curved in a broken smile. “I knew it. I knew it was you. You didn’t lose your memory… did you,

    Alicia?”

    Her voice cracked as she confessed, “You’re right. I’m Alicia. I never lost my memory. I’ve been hiding here bon /bEbonreach Isle… trying to forget you. Because you broke my heart!”

    “I’m sorry,” Zeke whispered, shaking his head violently. “God, I’m so sorry, bAlicia/b. It was my fault. I was a fool. me me, hit me if you want. I deserve it. I hurt byou/b.”

    16:08 Tue, Sep 9 B …

    65 vouchere

    “Do you think I want your sorry?” Alicia’s sols turned into a shout. She pounded her fists against his chest. “Bastard! You ruined me! Why did you have to find me? I don’t need your apologies!”

    He didn’t flinch. He let her strike him, each blow digging deeper into his guilt. And then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him, holding her as if he would never let go again.

    ?