Nix had no room left to argue.
The proof was undeniable—both the victim and the evidence were right there in plain sight. The moment Nix saw Burnt Dumpling lying helplessly on the bed, tightly bound and gagged, all the bravado drained from him. His ears flattened, his gaze flickered away, and he fell completely silent, guilt written all over his face.
Rory, meanwhile, froze at the sight.
Burnt Dumpling looked half-dead, feathers rumpled, eyes dull, his body limp in a way that sent a sharp jolt of fear through her chest. Shock gave way to fury in an instant. She didn't spare Nix or Jasper even a glance—she rushed forward immediately, kneeling beside Burnt Dumpling and working frantically to untie him.
At the same time, Burnt Dumpling's thoughts were in complete chaos.
After taking advantage of Rory's kindness, he had spent the entire night locked in a fierce battle with his own conscience. By dawn, he had reached a conclusion he could no longer escape.
He had crossed a line.
