Framed

(Chapter 114:Mira's pov)

The air inside the fortress felt heavier after Alaric's visit—like his words had left a stain nothing could wash away.

"If you keep chasing these alliances, you'll lose more than your life. You'll lose him."

Those words clung to me, no matter how much I tried to shake them off.

I stood in the war room, scanning the map of the supernatural realms stretched across the stone table. Every marked location—every potential ally—felt like a trap waiting to spring. And if Alaric was right, someone within these walls was making sure we walked straight into it.

The door creaked open behind me. Lorenzo. I didn't have to turn to know it was him—the weight of his presence was something I'd learned to recognize anywhere.

"Anything from Raisa?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.