Whispers of the crimson rose

truly slept but on this

ight. Shadows stretched across the cobblestones like fingers reaching for something un

ng was

ysara

through the streets rumors of power, betr

rimso

curse. A

t was said

as she stepped into the narrow street. The

awake. Fear

and burning with purpose. Every step she took through the sleepi

ughter of a

e was hunting wha

e was still aliv

the night silks, jewels, relics from forgotten lands. Music drifted through open

hina saw

r lasted i

anym

toward the distant silho

mily had bel

en belong in the re

w tigh

ould c

the shadows

fe

gnit

f a narrow alley like he had bee

ss

se it w

, the kind that came from knowing exactly how dan

made enemies everywhere he went. His emerald ey

less, I see

top walking. "Stil

fell into step beside her. "You're wa

safety, I'd sti

m quiet for

kled softly.

in silence

se. Too

nce that wasn't

d distrust. And something far mor

n't just a story," S

ed at her. "N

wh

ople are willi

made the air

hidden passage be

instantly-as if the city

case descended

a didn't

an fo

ged the deep

in a way that press

l fi

d garden opene

es bloomed

ma

al

ed inside them. The roots twisted through ancient stone, whisp

epped

st wa

st in

t ever

er fingers b

rld re

flower, wrapping around her

ed through

wa

sa

iv

a inhale

" Cassian's voice

whispered. "It

n sharpening every line of his

couldn

nside the rose... w

in the sleepin

l ran

sto

st noticed the world