Ember Frost’s POV

A thin strip of parchment was the first thing that caught my attention when we searched Medina’s room. She had left it folded between two heavier books, like it wasn’t worth noticing at first glance.

No one spoke right away.

Eira only reached for it, turned it once in her hands, then passed it to Elder Anna without a word.

The place didn’t feel like it belonged to someone dangerous.

That was the strange part.

We moved through it slowly anyway, not because we ...