Chapter 188

The burned district reeked of smoke and rust.

Once, it had been the heart of the capital — factories, homes, and crowded streets. Now, it was nothing but ruins and blackened steel, the bones of a city that had been devoured by its own greed.

Selene pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders as they walked through the wreckage.

Romano led them through the maze of broken buildings. His boots crunched against glass, cigarette smoke trailing behind him.

“Underground market’s this way,” he muttered. “Stay quiet and don’t make eye contact. These people don’t like strangers, especially wolves.”

Caius walked close to Selene. “You sure we can trust...