Without a word, I stepped toward him, arms open. He fell to his knees in front of me and pressed his face into my stomach. I wrapped my arms around him and slid my fingers through his hair, whispering that it was okay, that he was safe, even if I wasn’t sure he believed me.

"Did someone do something to you?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

"I’d do anything for you," he said, ignoring my question completely.

I held him for what felt like hours until the screen door banged open and our father stepped out onto the porch.

His eyes narrowed at the sight of us like we were doing something egregious.

"Lakynn. Inside. Now."

Riven didn’t move. His arms stayed wrapped around my waist like letting go would kill him. I kissed the top of his head, promised I’d be right back, and followed our father into the house.

He closed the study door behind us and crossed his arms and I remember my stomach felt flipped upside down.

"You don’t understand what Riven is. He’s capable of killing, Lakynn. You keep treating him like he’s fragile, but that boy has darkness in him. You need to stop babying him before you get hurt."

I stared at him, heart pounding. "Whatever you’re trying to do, it won't work. I’ll never deny him."

My father’s glare was cold. Calculated even. Then he just turned and walked away.

That was the first time I understood that our adoption wasn’t about love.

It was about control.

The loud bang of the barn door brings me out of my memory.

"Riven!" The sharp, commanding voice cuts through the quiet we were enjoying and we both look up.

Our father stands outside the barn, arms crossed, expression grim. He looks serious and maybe even concerned. His eyes lock on us beneath the dogwood tree, and I swear the muscle in his jaw tics.

Riven goes still before his arm tightens around me for half a second and then he slowly pulls away.

"Stay here," he says, voice low.

"I don’t want to be away from you," I whisper, clutching his hand.

He lifts my fingers to his mouth, brushing his lips across my knuckles. "Just stay. Remember what I said. I’ve got you, Lakynn. Always."

I swallow hard, eyes stinging. "I believe you."

He gives me one last look before standing and walking across the field toward the barn.

I stay beneath the tree, and it feels like my heart is hammering against my ribcage as he approaches the barn. Our father steps aside to let him in and then the door closes behind them.

That was the last time I saw Riven Kozlov.

The next morning, he was gone.

No note. No explanation. Just… gone.

RIVEN