I shake my head, letting the moment ground me. The weight of betrayal, of everything we’ve uncovered, is still there, but it’s easier to carry when I’m not doing it alone.

Mo’s right.

I’m not alone. Not anymore.

And if Aubrey thinks she can keep getting away with this?

She’s dead wrong.

This time, she’s the one who won’t see it coming.

26

Selene

The sun is just starting to stretch over the rooftops, bathing the town in that perfect golden glow that makes everything feel softer, almost dreamlike. It’s cold, though—not biting, but crisp enough that it stings your lungs when you breathe too deep. Valkyrie’s leash is loose in my hand as she trots happily beside me, her nose dipping down to sniff every lamppost and patch of grass like it holds the secrets of the universe. Almost like she’s searching for something sparkly that she can’t yet see.

The sidewalks are quiet at this hour. A couple of shops are opening, their owners flipping signs from closed to open. A man in a puffy jacket waves as he walks by with a paper under his arm. I wave back, feeling that small-town comfort wraps around me like a blanket. Mrs. Josi waves at me from her flower shop, it’s strange how this place feels like home now. I didn’t expect that when Valkyrie and I first got here, but maybe this is just the kind of place that sneaks up on you. Or maybe it’s the people.

Or maybe I just need a moment that feels real.

We round the corner to the coffee shop, and Valkyrie perks up, her tail wagging hard enough that her butt is swaying side to side. “I know,” I mutter, smiling. “You’ll get your puppuccino, don’t worry.”

The bell above the door jingles when we step inside, and the warmth of the coffee shop envelops me instantly. It smells like heaven—coffee, cinnamon, and a sugary treat baking in the back. The line is short, just a couple of people ahead of me. I give Valkyrie a pat as we step in, but I barely have time to settle before I feel arms wrap around me tightly.

“Oh my goodness, Selene!” Aubrey’s voice is sweet, too sweet—like honey left out too long, starting to crystallize. It sticks to my skin and makes a cold knot settle in my stomach.

I stiffen automatically.

“It’s been forever!” she gushes, her grip too tight. “Look at you—absolutely glowing. That mountain air must be doing wonders for you! I swear you don’t look like the same person you were when you got here a few months ago!”

I force myself to breathe. To smile. To act like I don’t know.