The innkeeper’s keys jingled in his hand as he led them down the narrow hall. His tired face was flushed with excitement, clearly grateful for the thick bundle of notes Mqqontez had handed him earlier.

“This way, sir. Your suite is at the end. Small but… clean.” He pushed open the door with a proud flourish.

The moment Amira stepped inside, her heart dropped. It wasn’t a suite. It was a cage.

The apartment consisted of a ...