Maria.
I opened my eyes slowly, still half-expecting something silly, maybe a joke he would laugh about later. But the moment my gaze dropped to what he was holding, every breath in my lungs froze.
It was a small crystal vial, no bigger than my palm, sealed with a thin silver stopper. The liquid inside shimmered faintly, not brightly, but with a deep, steady glow, like embers buried under ash. I didn't need anyone to explain what it was. I had heard of it. Every rogue had.
My fingers trembled at my sides.
"Noah…" my voice came out barely above a whisper. "That's—"
"A healing elixir," he finished for me, his tone suddenly serious. The playful smile he had been wearing faded, replaced by something quieter. "From the Alpha vault."
My heart slammed painfully against my ribs.
The Alpha vault.
