Phei swallowed the bitterness trying to climb into his throat before continuing. "But I haven't stopped looking, and I'm not going to. Sienna told me Hayashi and Ashworth are already searching too. They're both stronger than I am, both of them know things about this world I don't, and if there's a road to Althea that I couldn't see, then one of them will."
Elena pulled back just enough to look at him, tears bright across her lashes.
Phei brushed one away with his thumb. "I'll find her," he promised, his voice becoming quieter rather than louder. "I don't know how long it'll take, and I'm not going to insult you by pretending I know where she is when I don't. But I will find your sister."
Elena nodded before another tear slipped free: "Those disgusting Maxtons," she whispered, anger breaking through the grief as she pressed her face against him again. "I hate them. I fucking hate them."
Phei's arm tightened around her shoulders.
