Petal's POV

The borderlands smelled different after betrayal like smoke that never quite left the air. The storms had passed, but the taste of distrust still clung to every breath.

The rogues moved around camp, cautious and watchful. Conversations fell silent when I passed. Some turned away; others stared as if expecting me to burst into flames or fangs at any moment. The Crimson girl. The curse. The spy who’d brought sickness to their gates.

I tried to ignore them. I tried to lose myself ...