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“I saw them take her,” Derek’s voice trembled in the dark space. “We don’t know where she is.”

Khalani’s vision blackened, and the walls started to close in around her. She could see it now. Winnie’s dead body lying on a cold table right next to her parents.

No.

No.

No.

Khalani pulled harder on her bindings, desperately trying to break free.

She needed to find her. Needed to save her.

“This is your fault,” Brock seethed, viciously glaring at Takeshi. “You were supposed to be on watch!”

A vein pulsed at Takeshi’s temple.

Instead of a fire in his eyes, they were ice-cold, mirroring the frigid temperature in the room, as he remained silent, refusing to look in her direction.

The truth hit her.

If she hadn’t distracted Takeshi…

If she had just stayed next to Winnie.

The immediate slam of a door cut through her spiraling thoughts.

Heavy boots thudded against the creaking stairs, and they collectively held their breaths.

Three imposing figures descended the wooden steps. Two of them were men, both stocky and nearly as tall as Takeshi. They had dark hair tied up in buns and wore deep scowls as they glanced at Khalani and the others tied up on the floor, their lips twisting in disgust.

Their loose-fitting beige pants were adorned with geometric patterns and pockets up the sides. Tight tan shirts clung to their muscular frames, while long black cloaks trailed behind them.

In the center of the grim procession stood a smaller, leaner figure dressed in similar beige garb and a flowing maroon cape. It was a woman. She was strikingly beautiful, probably in her mid-thirties, with a heart-shaped pale face, high cheekbones, and red hair that rivaled a scorching fire.

But her green eyes…they were sharper than any blade Takeshicarried.

All three of the strange figures held themselves tall and proud as they halted in the middle of the floor, scrutinizing each of them carefully.

Khalani’s skin crawled, like she was about to be dissected.

“I expected better from Ansel,” the woman broke the silence, her harsh gaze sweeping over her bound captives.

Her focus lingered on Takeshi, who studied her right back with an intensity that made the two men stiffen, hands edging toward the blade handles sticking out of their pockets.

“I thought the Sinnershad better spies, but clearly, we overestimated them. The moon goddess led us right to your camp. And now, it’s time for you to provide some answers.”

With disturbing calmness, the woman pulled a pistol from her pocket. The metallic click of the weapon reverberated through the dim room.

“I want to know the size of Ansel’s forces, the Sinners defenses, and any weaknesses in their walls. You’ll tell me now, or I’ll let Belken here slice you and eat the pieces,” she threatened, gesturing to one of the burly men beside her.

“Great. You’re all fucking crazy, too,” Brock grumbled, prompting one of the men to march over and deliver a brutal punch to his face. Brock’s head snapped back, but he only started laughing as blood streamed from his nose.

“Is that it? Mymotherhit harder.”

The man’s fist clenched, and he reached for his knife.

“Wait! Wait!” Khalani shouted. “We’re not who you think we are! We don’t know any Sinners or this Ansel person.”