"Who are you?"
Elise's voice was steady, but she could feel her heart thundering in her chest. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but there was nowhere to go.
"If you come closer, I'll rip your head off."
An empty threat. Yet, the shadow fixed in his place.
A tall, imposing figure emerged from the darkness, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the distant fires outside.
The flickering light danced across his face, casting an ominous shadow over his scarred cheek. He was dressed in a black trench coat, his posture relaxed, but there was something in his eyes… dark and calculating.
The man smiled—a cold, predatory smile that sent chills down her spine.
"Oh, come now, Elise. You don't know me? I'm hurt, considering we've met before. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. Niena seems to have gone through great lengths to keep you hidden. It took me 18 years to find you."
