Mira’s POV

The patrol returned at first light, dragging a man who looked barely alive. He leaned on a spear just to stay upright, eyes darting between us, wary, defiant, terrified. He wasn’t an ordinary courier.

Kael stepped forward. “Where did you come from?” The man only glared. I crouched to meet his eyes. “We don’t want to hurt you. Who sent you?” “You don’t understand,” he muttered. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Then explain.” His gaze fixed on ...