Mira’s POV

Kael and I worked late into the night, the letter spread out before us, its symbols layered across brittle paper. Each mark felt deliberate, as if the writer anticipated every attempt to decipher it. I traced the lines, repeating patterns aloud while Kael watched, occasionally muttering interpretations. The letter was more than information; it was a warning and a trap.

“Some symbols repeat,” I said. “These clusters aren’t random.” “Names or locations,” Kael replied. ...