The door groaned open, spilling pale daylight into the otherwise dark room. Amara instinctively pulled Sera closer, though her hands were still tightly bound behind her. The little girl clung to her side, eyes wide with fear as three men entered.
They weren’t wearing masks.
Amara’s stomach sank.
Not wearing masks meant one thing—they weren’t afraid to be recognized. Because either they didn’t plan to let them go… or they believed no one would find them.
The tallest of the three, a man with a grizzled beard and a heavy leather jacket, gave a short nod to the others before stepping forward. He crouched in front of them, one hand resting on his bent knee as he studied Amara like she was something he could sell for parts.
“You’re awake,” he said, voice flat and casual. “That’s good. Less
