Why are you here? Who sent you?!

Aria’s POV

Inside, the chamber was dimly lit by a single torch mounted on the wall. Shadows clung to the corners like waiting predators.

And there he was.

A man, seated on a stool near the wall. His head was bowed, a black hood covering his face, his clothes dark, blending almost seamlessly into the darkness. His wrists were bound, his posture oddly relaxed, as though none of this bothered him in the least way.

For a heartbeat, I just stared at him, frozen.

Then I stepped forward, my voice tight but steady. “Who are you?”

I asked, but silence greeted me back.

“Who are you?” I repeated, my tone sharper this time. “What are you doing in this pack?”

The man didn’t move. His head stayed bowed, the hood completely hiding his face from me.

My skin prickled, “Can you hear me? Turn and face me.”

I barked, but still he said nothing.

I clenched my fists, forcing my tone to remain calm even as my pulse roared in my ears.

“I said, look at me!”

And then, slowly, deliberately, he lifted his head.