Mara spun around sharply, her breath hitching, and her body tensed for an attack. But as her eyes locked onto the figure behind her, she exhaled sharply.
"Cassandra?" she said, her voice a mix of relief and frustration. Her hand fell from where it had instinctively hovered near her pocket, ready to grab the red slime if necessary. "You scared the hell out of me."
Cassandra's lips quirked upward in a faint smirk, but her eyes were scanning their surroundings, alert and calculating. "Good reflexes," she said. "You're learning."
Mara placed a hand over her chest, trying to steady her racing heart. "I thought—" She paused, shaking her head. "Never mind. Did you lose him?"
"I did," Cassandra said, her tone low but steady. "He wasn't quick enough to keep up. I gave him the slip at a fence. But we need to stay low for now. And keep that slime down." She gestured toward Mara's hand, where the red glow was faintly visible.
