Melrose's POV:
The past week had been a relentless descent into the shadows, a week spent huddled within the suffocating confines of the bunkers, where the outside world felt like nothing more than a distant memory. I couldn't take the isolation anymore, even though Caine kept me company—except when he rushed to blabber to Soren about my progress or went to training. I was here alone; I wanted to be among people again, not sitting in a room with my thoughts and the persistent echoes of Ahknoxi. But today would be different; today marked the dawn of a new chapter, a chance to break free from the chains of fear that had bound me. I had successfully concealed The Kobra for seven days—seven days of silence and whispered doubts—now it was time to recommit myself to my work. I could almost hear
