The night air around the fortress was damp, heavy with the scent of salt and danger. The waves crashed against the rocky edges of the island, their rhythm an eerie reminder of how far she was from safety. Lila crouched in the shadows, her breath shallow, her senses heightened. Every whisper, every step, every gust of wind brushing the old stone walls felt amplified.
Her eyes trailed after the maid who walked briskly down the dimly lit corridor, holding a tray of folded clothes and a bowl of fresh fruits. The woman mumbled something about preparing the girl for dinner. Lila’s heart hammered. The girl. It could only mean one person. Sera.
The maid turned left, entering a hallway guarded by two men in black. Lila slowed her breathing and pressed herself flat against the wall. She waited, ti
