Chapter 139

• ARIA'S POV
• The grand hall was buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the light murmur of people deep in conversation. But as Finn and I walked in, the weight of what had just happened sat like a stone in my chest.
• Ralph’s face, the betrayal, the way he had gasped his last breath—it was burned into my mind. I could barely breathe as I looked around the crowd, half-wondering if people could somehow sense the horror I was carrying with me.