into the

Sofia's heart raced as she approached, the weight of her decision pressing heavily upon her. S

ban life. The streets were alive with activity-vendors hawking their wares, children darting between pedestrians, and the constant hum of

. Every shadow seemed to conceal a threat, every passerby a potential adversary. She had n

hts gave way to the cold flicker of neon signs. Sofia's stomach churned with hunger, but she dared not stop. She had h

ilver Serpent." Desperation gnawed at her, and she decided to take the risk. Pushing open t

over drinks, their faces obscured by shadows and the brims of worn hats. Sofi

?" he grunted,

ofia replied, her voice

eyes narrowing. "We don

s. The bartender took them, nodding curtly before

e feeling of being watched. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on a figure seated alone in a corner booth. A man, cloaked

approached her table. "Mind if I join you?" he

He took a seat across from

to these parts

hrough," she re

eyes. "Ravenwood isn't kind to strange

d around her glass. "

, leaning back. "But it's a

ns. Trust was a luxury she couldn't

want?" she

hat. Let's just say I have a keen interest in

o leave, but curiosity held her in

ou learn a lot about a person by observing them. For insta

he maintained her composure. "Y

venwood can be a dangerous place for a woman a

. "I can take

consider this: alliances can provide protection, reso

ly. "And what do

st in keeping the balance in this city

sting him was a gamble, but so

bout it," she