Chapter Three

Solene finished her work for the day, stretching her sore fingers. The shop was quiet now. The last customer had left, and Mistress Lira had gone home. Solene was the one who always locked up. She took one last look around before securing the door, making sure everything was in place. Then, with a tired sigh, she stepped out into the cool night air.

The streets of the Merchant Quarter were nearly empty. A few lanterns flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls. Solene wrapped her arms around herself and started walking toward the shelter where she usually slept. Her thoughts were still on what had happened earlier the way the officer had stopped the Hollow with just a flick of his hand. That kind of power was terrifying.

A sudden noise made her stop.

It was faint, like something shifting in the darkness. She hesitated, then shook her head. It was probably just a stray animal or the wind knocking over a crate. She took another step.

The sound came again.

This time, it was different. It wasn't just a random noise it felt like something was pulling her toward it. A strange feeling crept up her spine, a mix of fear and curiosity. She knew she should ignore it. She should keep walking and mind her own business. But her feet didn't listen.

Before she knew it, she was following the sound.

She moved carefully, stepping between crates and barrels, her heart pounding. The noise led her to an old, abandoned shack tucked between two large buildings. The wooden structure looked like it was falling apart, the roof sagging, the door barely hanging on its hinges.

Solene peeked through a gap in the broken wall.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Inside the shack were the same guards from earlier. And the officer. The Hollow they had captured was on his knees, his hands bound behind his back. His face was bruised, his breathing ragged. He looked so weak, so helpless.

Solene's stomach twisted as she realized what was about to happen.

The officer stood in front of the Hollow, his expression cold. He raised his hand, and the air around him crackled with energy. Then, without hesitation, he struck.

A sharp blast of magic hit the Hollow straight in the chest.

The man let out a strangled gasp before collapsing onto the ground. He didn't move again.

Solene covered her mouth, her body frozen in shock. She had seen people suffer beforeHollows were always treated unfairly but this… this was different. This was murder.

Her hands were shaking. She needed to leave. Now.

As she turned, her foot brushed against a loose stick on the ground. It snapped with a loud crack.

The sound echoed in the quiet night.

Her heart stopped.

Inside the shack, the officer's head snapped up. The guards looked around, their hands already on their weapons.

"Did you hear that?" one of the guards asked.

Another guard frowned. "I thought you used your power to block all outside noise."

"I did," the man replied, looking uneasy.

The officer's eyes narrowed. He stepped toward the entrance of the shack, scanning the darkness. Then, his gaze shifted right to where Solene had been standing moments ago.

Solene didn't wait to see what happened next.

She ran.

Her feet pounded against the stone streets as she weaved through alleys and side roads, her breath coming in fast, panicked gasps. She didn't dare look back. She didn't need to she knew they would come after her.

She knew was that she had seen something she was never meant to see.

And now, she was in danger.

Days passed, but Solene couldn't forget what she had seen. Every night, she replayed the moment the officer struck down the Hollow, the way the man's body had fallen lifelessly to the ground. Every sound made her flinch, every shadow made her heart race. She was always looking over her shoulder, expecting them to come for her.

But they never did.

A week went by, and nothing happened. No guards, no officer, no signs that anyone was after her. Slowly, she allowed herself to breathe again. Maybe she had been lucky. Maybe they hadn't seen her clearly that night. Maybe they weren't looking for her at all.

That morning, the sun was warm, and for the first time in days, Solene felt like herself again. She stood outside the tailor shop, sweeping dust off the entrance. The streets were busy, people moving past, lost in their own business. She let herself relax, even smiling at a passing customer.

Then, everything changed.

A shadow fell over her.

Before she could turn, a force slammed into her back, sending her crashing to the ground. Pain shot through her arms as she scraped against the rough stone. She gasped, twisting around, and her blood turned cold.

The guards. And the officer.

And they weren't alone.

Another man stood with them. He wore dark robes embroidered with silver, his presence commanding, terrifying. A ring on his finger glowed with power. The officer, the same one who had killed the Hollow, stepped forward with a smirk.

"Thought you could hide forever?" he sneered.

Solene scrambled back, but a guard lifted his hand, and a blast of wind sent her flying into the shop's wooden wall. Her head spun, pain exploding in her side. She coughed, trying to get up, but another wave of force pinned her down.

The officer crouched beside her, gripping her chin. "You shouldn't have been there that night," he whispered. Then, he struck her across the face, making her head snap to the side.

Lira stood at the door of the shop, watching.

She didn't move. She didn't speak.

Solene's stomach twisted. She thought she would have cared at least. Her expression was just empty.

Another guard grabbed her by the arm and lifted her up, only to slam her down again. Someone's boot kicked her ribs, and she cried out.

The man in robes raised a hand, and suddenly, dark tendrils of energy wrapped around her, squeezing her body like a vice. Solene gasped for air, her vision blurring. The pain was unbearable.

The people around them watched but did nothing. They just murmured amongst themselves. Solene could some people smiling and her heart was immediately filled with hatred for these people

She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. The officer leaned in, whispering in her ear, "This is just the tip of the iceberg."

Lira stood at the door of the shop, watching.

She didn't move. She didn't speak.

Solene's stomach twisted. "Lira, please" she choked out, her voice weak, desperate.

Lira's gaze flickered, but then she turned away.

"No!" Solene screamed as rough hands grabbed her. She kicked and struggled, but they were too strong. A guard clamped his arm around her, dragging her forward.

The people in the streets averted their eyes. No one interfered.

Solene fought against the iron grip, but the officer raised his hand, and a surge of magic crashed over her like a wave. Darkness clouded her vision, her limbs weakening.

"You don't belong here, Hollow," the officer murmured before everything faded to black.

The last thing she saw was Lira turning her back on her.