Soren’s POV
It’s after midnight when Blaze suddenly jerks awake. “She’s here.”
My eyes open slowly, adjusting to the darkness that fills the corners of the room. For a second, I think I’m dreaming, but then I see her—Ayla.
She stands a few steps from my bed, motionless in the dark. Her hoodie hangs off her shoulders, sleeves swallowing her hands, hair tangled, face pale in the blue light. She doesn’t move or speak.
She just stands there like something barely holding itself together.
For a moment, I just look at her—she looks so frail, her chest heaving, eyes bright with exhaustion and something that looks like defeat.
“Ayla?” My voice is low and careful, barely more than a whisper.
Her head lifts slightly, just enough to show she hears me. Her movements are small and uncertain. My c
