Chapter 28

Aleks pulled India by her hand, dragging her away from the raging chaos. He could hear her sobs, and he understood her sorrow, but they had to fall back. He refused to look back because if he did, he would crumble under the weight of loss. Sean was gone, but they weren’t, and for the sake of the people, they had to win this.

“We need to weaken her. So far, we’ve been fighting a losing battle,” he grunted as they stopped beneath some bushes. India collapsed as her leg gave out. She looked dazed and worn out. Blood streaked over her face and clothes. He knelt beside her. Hilda covered their eyes, fixed on the road they had come from.

“Hey, India,” he called, taking her face between his fingers, “look at me, sweetheart,” he murmured, raising her eyes to his.

“I’m tired,” she muttered, tears wetting her cheeks.

“I know, baby. I know, but we can’t let her win, not when Sean gave up his life,” he whispered, and she took a shuddering breath.

“Hilda, what do yo