Lorraine was caught in a dilemma. What was she supposed to do?
Her heart screamed for stillness. Her mind screamed for escape.
So she did what she did best.
She ran.
Not with panic. No. That wasn't the Lazira way. She turned her head, feigning disinterest, pretending not to recognize the most recognizable man in all of Vaeloria, and slipped into the winding alleyways like smoke.
This was her turf.
She knew which paths twisted into dead ends and which led to freedom. She didn't look back. Not even when her thoughts spiraled.
Why was he here? Leroy had never shown interest in the red-light district. Never wandered into Lazira's domain. Never sought company in this world of shadowed pleasure.
Was he here because he missed the Swan Divina? Had he come looking for her, and when he didn't find her, decided to chase someone else?
Her stomach turned. She wasn't even sure why she was running. Would he even recognize her? Would he want to?
