The figure in the distance didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stood there, watching.
My fingers twitched at my sides, fire simmering beneath my skin. The Ashlands were full of dangerous people—thieves, mercenaries, bounty hunters—but this was different. The air felt sharp, like the edge of a blade pressed against my throat.
Andre took a slow step back. "We should get off the streets."
Sol didn't argue. Neither did I.
We moved fast, slipping between the ruined buildings. The tension was thick, pressing against my ribs like an iron weight. Even after we turned enough corners to lose sight of the figure, I could still feel the stare burning into my back.
Only when we were deep in the ruins, where the glow of torches barely reached, did Andre finally slow. He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. "That was too close."
I didn't say anything. The words painted across our ruined hideout were still burned into my mind.
Velkyn scum. Monster. Fire spreads.
I had known it my whole life, but seeing it spelled out in the ashes of the only place we had left made my chest tighten.
Sol was the first to break the silence. "So? Who the hell torched your place?"
Andre sighed. "Could be anyone."
Sol shot him a look. "Come on. This obviously wasn't just random arson. Someone knew what they were doing, now we're being watched."
I crossed my arms, my nails pressing into my palms. "It's because of me."
Andre turned to me, frowning. "Ruby—"
"No, don't start," I cut him off. "You saw what they wrote. They know I have fire juju. They know what family we come from." My throat felt tight. "And now we have nowhere to go."
After a long moment of silence, Sol sighed and clicked her tongue. "So, what's the plan? Or are we just gonna stand here and mope until someone else tries to kill us?"
Andre hesitated, then said, "I know a guy—well someone we can go to. His name's Reno."
I blinked.
Reno.
I hadn't heard that name in years, but I remembered.
When Andre and I were kids, our family barely acknowledged him. He was Pyrosoul blood, but he didn't have fire. That made him useless in their eyes. Unworthy.
Reno had worked for the family—guard, servant, fixer, whatever was needed—he and Andre were always together.
I studied his face. "You think he'll help us?"
Andre met my gaze, his expression unreadable. "He's our best shot."
Sol crossed her arms. "You two done being mysterious, or am I supposed to pretend I know who we're talking about?"
I exhaled sharply. "He used to work for our family-"
"He basically raised me." Andre cut in with a sharpness that shocked me a bit, "Now let's go."
Sol didn't push, just shrugged. "Alright then. Lead the way, Prince."
We started moving again, deeper into the The Ashlands. The streets stretched out before us, restless and waiting.