Kara raised her head and looked out the window.
Ethan was already standing outside, one foot on the eaves, robes fluttering faintly in the night wind. Moonlight outlined his silhouette like a blade drawn halfway from its sheath—calm, sharp, and impossible to ignore.
"Sister," his voice came softly, yet carried absolute certainty, "I can come and go freely in your room. I can detoxify you. I can transmit messages to you right under Luca's nose."
His gaze met hers through the window lattice.
"You should trust me."
Before Kara could respond, his figure dissolved into the darkness like smoke in water. Only his words lingered, echoing faintly in her ears.
"… "
Kara stood there for a long time.
Her fingers tightened slowly at her side, then relaxed. For the first time in years, her heart—always steady, always guarded—wavered ever so slightly.
Three months passed in silence.
...
Hidden Wind Cave.
