**~ Cyrius's POV ~**
I dashed after her, into the crumbling ruins of the old building.
The air inside was thick cold and damp, with the heavy scent of moss and dust. The aura clung to my skin like a warning. Something terrible had happened here before. Maybe magic. Maybe blood. Maybe both.
I adjusted the twins, wrapped in cloth around my back. Their warmth pressed into me, steady and fragile. I kept one hand on them and the other ready at my side.
I spotted her silhouette tucked in the corner.
I moved carefully. Just as I turned around the pillar..
Steel met my throat.
A sharp dagger pressed into my neck, and I froze.
Her breath was shaky. Her brown eyes wide with fear, shimmering with tears—but her hand didn't tremble. She was scared, yes, but brave.
I reacted quickly.
I knocked the blade aside and shoved her backward. She slammed against the cracked wall with a grunt. I closed the distance between us before she could recover, pinning her with one hand.
