230 Cost of Defeat

Before he knew it, the woman threw herself at him embracing him tightly.

"Jayce I was so worried. Where were you?"

Lianna began to sob, burying herself into his chest. They stood like that for some time while Jayce's mind tried to catch up with what had happened. He was almost certain that he had seen her whisked away by those people.

It was then that realization struck him like a hammer. The relief that he had felt after holding his woman within his arms was instantly washed away by anxiety.

He broke away from the hug and held Lianna at arms length, staring at her deep green eyes.

"Lianna. I need you to stay calm and listen to what I'm about to say." He prefaced.

"Leah was taken by those people through the array."

Lianna just stared at him for a moment, confusion evident on her face.

"W-What are you saying?" She took a step back, unable to process his words. Her eyes turned dull as she dropped to her knees.