Chapter 5: The Price of Defiance
Evelyn was no longer afraid.
She had fought too many illusions, lost herself to too many false realities. She knew Ezra was testing her, pushing her to the limits of sanity.
But she had learned something vital.
He was not invincible.
The way he spoke, the way he lingered near certain places—it told her there were rules, limits even he had to abide by. And if there were rules, there had to be loopholes.
"You think I'm still playing your game, Ezra?" she muttered, stepping toward him.
For the first time, he hesitated.