The tension in the air was suffocating as Wei and Mei made their way back to the Midnight Pawnshop. The streets seemed unnaturally quiet, every shadow they passed twisting unnervingly in the dim light. Neither spoke, their thoughts consumed by Lin's betrayal and the stolen soul mirror.
Mei finally broke the silence. "Do you think she planned this from the start?"
Wei shook his head. "I don't know. She seemed desperate, like she was afraid of something—or someone."
Mei glanced over her shoulder, her hand tightening on her weapon. "Kai was with her. That's not a coincidence."
"Kai…" Wei muttered, his jaw clenching. "He's hiding something. He always has been. But I didn't think he'd turn on us like this."
As they approached the pawnshop, the familiar creak of its door echoed through the empty alley. Inside, the dim glow of lanterns illuminated Mr. Shen, who stood behind the counter with his usual enigmatic calm.
