The coffee shop was small and tucked into a quiet corner street, its windows fogged slightly from the warmth inside. Soft yellow lights hung above wooden tables, and the low murmur of other late-night customers blended with the gentle hum of an espresso machine. Outside, the city still moved, but in here, time seemed slower—safer.
They slid into a booth near the back. Aniela sank into the seat first, shoulders heavy, exhaustion finally catching up with her now that the adrenaline had faded. I didn’t even realize how tired I was, she thought, rubbing her temples lightly.
“So… what are we doing here?” Aniela asked, trying to sound casual, though her voice carried a thin edge.
Erelah leaned back, arms crossed, eyes flicking between the two of them. “Honestly, how did we even get here is th
