POV: Cassian
The hallway outside Mira's room was strangely quiet, the aftermath of her released power visible in the scorched walls and the lingering smell of smoke.
I paused at her door, the weight of my own secrets pressing heavily on my chest.
Pushing the door open, I found her curled near the dark wall, her body shaking, eyes blank. The once lively air that surrounded her was now shadowed by doubt and pain.
"You're not a monster," I whispered, kneeling beside her.
She flinched at my words, turning her face away. "Don't touch me," she muttered. "I hurt Rosalie. I wanted to hurt her."
I reached out, gently taking her hand. "Then let me carry it with you. Because I kept something too."
Her eyes met mine... filled with wonder and fear.
Taking a deep breath, I began, "I was
