Chapter 23

"No," I said firmly, trying to push away the despair threatening to consume me. "I won't accept that. I will find her, no matter what it takes. I won't let her slip through my fingers."

With renewed determination, I threw myself into the search once again.

I called out three of my guards, I sought out every possible lead, questioned everyone who had ever known her, and scoured the city day and night.

But no matter how hard I tried, she remained elusive, like a ghost that had disappeared into the shadows.

With frustration gnawing at my core, I decided to venture out alone. The city was vast, but I was determined to leave no stone unturned. I called my brother, knowing that he could help me navigate the nooks and crannies of the city Lia once called home.

As my brother arrived, I took a moment to gather myself. "I need your help," I said, my voice resolute. "We have to find Lia, no