LOGINLauren closed her eyes and tried to remember. “There was someone behind me,” she said slowly. “I remember hearing footsteps, but when I turned around…” Her face tightened. “Nothing.” “What about the herbs you were carrying?” Her eyes opened. “I dropped them.” My thoughts sharpened. The crus
ELARA’S POV Lauren’s voice cut across the registration hall just as the official’s fingers closed around the edge of the register. “Wait! There’s still one more person!” She had come specifically for this. The moment she realized I had not arrived she pushed through the line of waiting warriors a
I sent a short message to my friend and arranged to meet her at the usual corner after the evening meal. We would walk to the registration office together. I reached the meeting place early and waited. Half an hour passed. The street emptied as people headed home. My friend never appeared. A col
ELARA’S POV I turned another page in the thick ledger and forced my eyes to stay open. The ink had begun to blur after hours spent bent over dusty records in the archive room at the edge of the district. Stack after stack of old expedition notes and herb catalogs surrounded me, yet none of them hel
The Evander was calling toward something. Not with words but with an insistent pull that tightened through my consciousness and urged my body forward. It wanted me to follow the scent that had already disappeared into the night. My expression remained calm but inwardly my attention sharpened. The Ev
AURELIAN’S POV “Yes, Master.” The attendant accepted the order, hesitated a fraction, then asked, “How thoroughly should we investigate?” “First find out what she bought and sold tonight and why she came to the black market.” I paused. “Do not alert her.” “Understood.” He asked nothing furthe







