Bo's Café had always felt like neutral ground, a sanctuary where the cacophony of Limketkai Mall faded into a distant hum.
It was a place where conversations were softened by the rich scent of roasted coffee beans and caramel syrup, where warm lights glowed above small wooden tables to create a refuge from the world outside.
But tonight, the sanctuary felt like a battlefield. The air was thick with unspoken words, and the usual comfort of the space had been replaced by a chilling anticipation.
Aira Limketkai arrived first, choosing the table near the window without conscious thought.
Outside, the neon lights of the mall painted the glass in streaks of crimson and gold, the reflection shifting across her face like restless flames.
She didn't remove her coat, nor did she order. Her
