Chapter 110

Briar’s POV

I woke up screaming.

The nightmare clung to me like spider webs—images of the altar, the suspended prisoners, the look of terror in their eyes as they’d hung there waiting to die.

But worse than the memories was the crushing weight of guilt that settled over me the moment consciousness returned.

"Hey, hey, it’s okay," Kylan’s voice was soft and soothing as gentle hands helped me sit up. "You’re safe. We’re all safe."

I looked around wildly, taking in our surroundings. We were in what appeared to be an abandoned cabin, rough wooden walls and a fireplace that cast dancing shadows across the room. Through the single window, I could see early morning light filtering through normal, uncorrupted trees.

"The prisoners," I said urgently. "Did they—are they okay?"

"They’re alive," Kieran assured me from where he sat cleaning his sword. "Weak, traumatized, but alive. Slade’s peo