/-Zara-/

“Draven forbade it?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

Maleek nodded, his arms crossed. “A direct order. They can’t touch you as long as he breathes.”

I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling slightly. “So I’m only alive because he said so. Wonderful.”

He gave a small, humorless laugh. “You sound disappointed.”

“Maybe I am,” I said, staring down at the floor. “Because it means I’m still trapped here.”

“Trapped is better than dead,” ...