Chapter 48

Mooncake Thief

“You were gone for days,” Zakhar Hazmaveth growled, his hands on my shoulders as he examined me. From head to toe, he searched for injuries. Then again. And again. Disbelief in his eyes and a light tremor in his grip.

I squinted against the harsh light of mornings in Vulkan, the scent of ash and roses assaulting my fragile senses. My knees weak, dragging me down. My body forced upright out of sheer will and Zakhar’s grip. Mostly Zakhar’s grip.