Cynthia's POV

Sinacore was standing there, his tall frame silhouetted against the muted glow from the window. His presence here was the last thing I had expected, and it threw me completely off balance.

“S-Sinacore?” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper as the shock rendered me almost speechless. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

He turned to face me, his eyes locking into mine with an intensity that made my breath catch in my ...