Mira’s POV

We reached the old sector by nightfall.

The facility was hidden beneath collapsed ruins. No wards on the surface. They weren’t expecting visitors. Kael stayed with Lyra and Elen above ground. Cyrus flanked me as Kessen led us through the underpass.

No one spoke. I turned and stared at them, but no one said a word. After a couple of minutes, Kessen said, “I remember this place.”

“How old were you?”

“Ten. Maybe younger.”

“Were you marked here?”

“No,” he said. ...