The words hit Nicholas like a physical blow. Victoria was gathering forces. Which meant she was preparing for war.
Which meant the deadline was not just a threat anymore.
It was a promise.
"Come on," Nicholas said to Sebastian and Elena. "We need to move. Now."
They followed Maria back through the pristine hallways and out into the night. Elena walked between them, silent and tense, clutching her bag like a lifeline.
Nicholas pulled out his phone and checked the time.
They had been gone from the estate for eight hours.
They had twenty-six hours left before Victoria's deadline expired.
And they were about to spend the next four hours driving a terrified witch to a safe house instead of getting the information they desperately needed.
Through the bond, Nicholas could feel Lilith, awake and anxious back at the estate. Could feel Sebastian's frustration bleeding through his connection. Could feel the countdown ticking in his head like a bomb waiting to explode.
