Luara woke up before sunrise. The room was still dimly lit, cold air coming in through the half-open window, and the distant sounds of the forest seemed different that day—clearer, as if the whole world were holding its breath to see what would happen next.

She sat up in bed and remained motionless for a few seconds, letting her body remember where she was: back in the house where she grew up, alive, healed, and, above all, ready.

This would be the morning she would take back ...