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I stared up at hi hands engulfedme over his shoulder, he raced out of the apartuessed a part of me had decided to seek out Caleb because, deep down, I had hoped that this was all a bigI’d hoped that he would be able to explain his innocence to ht I should have pulled the trigger when I’d had the chance

Chapter 16: Caleb

I’d known that I would regret kissing that girl the moment our lips touched

Now that Annora had ard to The Shade, it was far too dangerous to have even the slightest connection with Rose

I’d been shocked that Rose had dared to seek me out It had made me realize that I’d been far too soft with her It had caused her to underestimate me--the kiss of death

Now, the tinoring her struggles, I raced down to the dungeons I decided to show her theher in the saesture of goodwill she’d receive fro at her parents as I shoved her into the cell I exited the dungeon just as swiftly as I’d entered it, ignoring the questions and insults that were thrown at me

I didn’t know if she, her parents, or any of the prisoners would make it out alive But I couldn’t help her anyer I’d already only narrowly escaped Annora believing I was a traitor I wasn’t about to risk that again

Rose’s death would be less painful down in the cells along with the rest of her people than if Annora discovered her with me The witch would unleash all her pent-up frustration on the girl, and Rose would wish she’d died any other death

After locking Rose away, I returned toI did was smash my entire collection of instruments They reminded me too much of her I destroyed them one by one with my bare hands and threw the remains off the balcony They tumbled down the cliffs and disappeared into the snow

Even with those instruetting that girl But my callousness toward her would at least destroy her affections for ined existed in the first place

I walked over totable and pouredmy eyes I had three more, then sat back down on my bed

There was a knock on my door I looked at the clock on the wall It was late

I opened the door to see Annora standing outside Her long hair hung loose down her back and she wore a silk dressing gown that clung to her curves