en'

he lights dimmed, replaced by flickering neon lights that cast an eerie glow across the cracked pavement. Each step wa

was for my protection. But now, I wondered if that was his fear speaking, his own shame coloring the way he saw me. Maybe, deep down,

e only sound was my breathing, steady but low, as I wove deeper into the shadows, listening for footsteps. I knew they

hich made her a high-ranking member of the Elites. Elara secured her place within the ruling hierarchy under the guise of g

ggled to evade capture, relishing the game from her high towers. She had always been a

every word she spoke was carefully crafted, every glance hiding something darker. I'd known that from the start, bu

trust. Only the thrill of crossing a line neither of us was meant to touch. At least, to me, that w

ring down on me, each step I too

chase me down easily, but they'd underestimated me, just as everyone else had. My Serakyn strength hummed in my veins, coiled a

rs moved closer. Three of them. Armed, armored, and confident. I waited until they we

pped to his knees, his weapon clattering to the ground. The second guard swung around, his weapon raised, but I was already one step ahead, dodging to

ion dawning in his eyes, the fear that tightened his grip on the weapon. He had probably heard the sto

out of this, half-blood?'' he sneered,

ing for you, Nyren. You'

pple through me. The label stung but I pus

get far,'' I sai

show you what you

m and twisting it behind his back before slamming him into the wall. He struggled, cursing under his breath, but his st

hey want me, they'll have to try hard

gered, clutching his arm. He looked back at me wide-eyed be

e adrenaline still pulsed through me, a reminder of the fine line I was walking. I was s