The cry came again.

Sharp. Piercing. Unforgiving.

Liora’s eyes snapped open, her chest rising quickly as her gaze darted toward the small cot beside her bed.

Avery.

She was crying again.

Loud. Restless. Inconsolable.

For a second, Liora didn’t move.

Her body felt too heavy, like sleep still clung to her bones—but the truth was, she hadn’t really slept at all.

Not properly.

Not in days.

Another cry cut through the silence of the room, louder this time.

Liora forced herself to sit up, her head sp