The burning in my veins spread like wildfire. Every nerve, every limb screamed as the wolfsbane clashed against Mira’s potion. My body trembled under the weight of the battle raging inside me. It was not just physical, but something deeper and darker.

I didn’t know how long I hung there, sweating, twitching, whispering half-prayers to the moon I couldn’t see. My wrists had blistered under the cuffs. My legs were numb. But I wouldn’t cry.

The door groaned open. I braced ...