MIRA’S POV
The moment the rogues surrounded us, everything in me screamed to run—but there was nowhere to go. They had us flanked on all sides, eyes glowing faintly in the firelight, teeth bared in half-curious, half-menacing smirks.
Luca's hand found mine again, firm this time, no tremble. I squeezed it, trying to keep my own fear hidden. The leader stepped forward—a tall man with streaks of silver in his beard and scars carved across his bare arms. He looked like someone who had lived through a hundred battles and buried every friend he ever had.
"You two look like you've seen hell," he said, his voice gravelly but not entirely unkind.
"We have," I replied, forcing myself to look him in the eye.
He tilted his head, assessing. "Names?"
"I'm Mira," I said. "And this is Luca."
The na
