Chapter 1: Lyra of the Broken MarketLyra never meant to steal.
But hunger was louder than morality.
The marketplace of Stonefall City was crowded with merchants shouting over each other. The smell of roasted meat drifted through the air, making her stomach twist painfully.
She slipped between people like smoke.
Her fingers brushed a merchant's coin purse.
A quick tug.
Gone.
Lyra ducked into an alley, breathless but triumphant.
Until the shadows shifted.
"You're terrible at stealing."
Lyra froze.
A man leaned against the brick wall.
Tall. Cloaked in black armor etched with silver.
Her heart dropped.
Order of the Iron Crown.
Magic hunters.
She forced a smile. "I'm improving."
The man studied her.
His eyes were strange—dark but sharp, like he could see through every lie she had ever told.
"You stole bread three stalls ago," he said calmly.
Lyra blinked.
"How did you—"
"Because," he said, stepping closer, "you used magic."
Her blood went cold.