Elena's POV
There was silence on the other end for a beat. Then his voice came through—low and cautious. "Not yet. I've had two of my best people on him since yesterday. But he's covering his tracks well."
I closed my eyes, pressing a hand to my forehead. "You said he was alive. You gave me that truth. Now I need more."
"I know." A sigh. "I won't stop until I find him."
"Julian…" I hesitated. "If he comes for me again—"
"He won't," he said sharply. "I won't let that happen. You hear me?"
I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "Just keep digging."
"I will. And Elena?"
"What?"
"Be careful."
I hung up before I could let his concern soften me.
There was no time for soft anymore.
I didn't know where else to go.
My mind was spinning, the pressure building behind my eyes. Everything felt like it was slipping—Damian, the board, the imposter, Callum's blood still on my hands in memory.
So I drove.
Back to where things first started to feel like clarity again.
