The night had grown cooler, the warm glow of the bonfire now a distant memory. Vera stood on the outskirts of the gathering, her mind still reeling from the evening’s events. She had shown her magic, earned the curiosity of the tribe, but the lingering sense of unease was hard to shake. Jovani and Elisa’s watchful eyes had made her uncomfortable, and the way some people had treated her as a potential omen still weighed on her.
Vera’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice behind her. “Vera.”
She turned to see Max approaching, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the dim light. His presence was calming, and for a brief moment, the tension in her chest eased. Max had been one of the few who had shown her genuine kindness since her arrival. He was a grounding force, someone who didn’t
