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I see red.

I don’t think—I just act.

My knee jerks up, slamming hard into her ribs. She gasps, grip loosening just enough for me to twist out from under her. I move fast, using the momentum to grab her wrist and yank her sideways, throwing her off-balance.

This time, when she lands on the floor, I don’t hesitate.

I pin her with my knee, grip iron-tight on her wrist. The dagger I snatched from her belt presses just under her chin.

Selis stills.

Then, slowly—infuriatingly—she grins.

“Well,” she breathes, voice thick with something close to admiration. “Nowthat’sa Roan move.”

We’re both panting heavily when the door creaks open again.

Roan steps inside, arms full of supplies. She halts mid-step, eyes darting between me and Selis.

A beat of silence.

Then, dryly, “What the fuck?”

Roan

Thesightthatgreetsme when I push open the door isnotwhat I expected.

Aria, straddling Selis, a dagger pressed against her throat.

Selis, grinning like she’s enjoying every second of it.

We’re all breathing too hard, the air charged with something sharp and dangerous.

I stare. Blink.

“What the fuck?”

Aria jerks her head toward me, wild-eyed and flushed, as if just remembering where we are. But she doesn’t lower the blade. Good.

Selis tilts her head back slightly to get a better look at me. “Hey, Talrik,” she purrs, unbothered. “Didn’t expect such a warm welcome.”

I don’t move from the threshold, but my grip on the sack of supplies tightens. My eyes flick to Aria’s knuckles, bloodied. Her shoulders are tense, trembling slightly.

I exhale, slowly. “What,” I say, carefully enunciating every word, “thefuck—is happening here?”

Selis lets out a dramatic sigh. “Relax. Just a friendly chat.” She winks up at Aria. “Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Aria’s jaw tightens. The dagger doesn’t waver.

I’d be proud if I wasn’t so angry, but my stomach twists. Aria had been alone when Selis showed up…Shit.

I set the supplies down with deliberate care, keeping my eyes locked on the woman pinned beneath Aria. “You always had shit timing, Selis.”

She hums. “Yeah, well. This time, I might be in luck.” Her gaze slides back to me, dark and calculating. “See, I heard somethingveryinteresting in town.”

I don’t react, but my pulse ticks up.

Selis grins. “Turns out, our little runaway here is worth alotof coin.” Her voice is almost conversational, like she’s discussing the weather. “And if I know you, Roan, youhateleaving money on the table.”