{Lisa’s POV}

As we headed in, the safe house… cottage felt more like home than it had when we first arrived. The fire still smoldered low in the hearth, and the air carried that faint, earthy scent of old wood that seemed to cling to everything here. Heri’s small hand was warm in mine, her steps dragging with fatigue… in no small part due to Ronan’s oversized coat.

“Come on, sweetheart,” I murmured, guiding her toward her room.

She didn’t protest. Not once. I tucked her into the bed, smoothing the blanket over her shoulders as her eyes fluttered shut. She clutched her little paper figure against her chest. I...