Chapter 309. Why Riley?

Aurora’s POV

I stayed awake long after Riley had succumbed to sleep, my mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. My breath came in short, frustrated bursts. The silence was unbearable, the tension in the air crackling like a coming storm, and finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned sharply to Caleb, who leaned against the wall with that unreadable look on his face—too calm, too distant, like none of this was shaking him the way it shook me.

I gave him a subtle hint, a slight tilt of my head, before I got up and moved towards the door, keeping it open so that I could keep an eye on Riley as well. Caleb, of course, got the hint and came out right after me, keeping the door open behind him.

“What on earth is going on, Caleb?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended. “Why are the wraiths targeting Riley now?”

His eyes met mine slowly, tiredly. There was something in them—confusion, maybe even a hint of guilt—but no answers.

“I don’t know,” h