Ariella's POV
With a final, defiant glance at the rogues, I bolted towards the river, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear the rush of water over the roar in my ears. The skills Francis had taught me echoed in my mind. “Always think ahead, Ariella. The moment you let fear control you, you’ve already lost.”
There was no other way. As I reached the bank, I hesitated for the briefest moment, catching the confused looks on the rogues’ faces before I threw myself into the icy waters.
The shock of the cold hit me like a punch to the chest, stealing the breath from my lungs. The river's current grabbed hold of me immediately, dragging me under. I fought to stay calm, forcing myself to go limp, letting the water carry me as if I were nothing but a lifeless body. Every part of me scre
