**Kael's Point of View**

The villa, which had been my safe place for years, now felt like a grave. Every shadow seemed to remember that cold from another world, and every creak of the floorboards sounded like the Warden's footsteps. The smell of our fear filled the air, a bitter taste that no amount of opened windows could get rid of.

Lyra was packing a small bag for Kenny in a quiet, scary way that worked. Her movements were exact, but her hands shook a little. She had dealt with shame, ...