*Ava*
Dawn softens the sky, painting the outer walls of the Castillo de San Servando in pale pink and gold. Luca holds me close, his breath warm on my neck. My heart beats wildly against his chest as our faces draw nearer, the promise of a last kiss hanging between us.
Then, without warning, the quiet shatters.
“Seize them!” a harsh voice orders.
Three guards emerge suddenly from the shadows, swift and ruthless. Panic explodes inside me. I try to pull back, but Luca’s grip tightens, protective and fierce.
The first guard lunges at me, his fingers like blades cutting into my arm. I struggle, but two hands yank me away from Luca, tearing me out of his embrace as another guard draws his knife and lurches toward us.
“Luca!” I shout, desperation cracking my voice.
Luca draws his dagger a
