“Hey there,” I said, crouching down to her level and offering a hand. She hesitated for just a moment, but my shifter eyes must have decided her, because she took my hand and allowed me to briefly pull her from the group. Annia and Rylan gave me curious looks, but I ignored them.

“My name is Sunaya Baine,” I told the little girl. “What’s yours?”

“Tula Leoni,” she said quietly. “I’m from the Leoni Clan in Parabas.”

A quick sniff told me she was a jaguar shifter, and I smiled. “I think I may know a relative of yours. Does the name Boon Lakin sound familiar to you?”

“You know my uncle Boon?” Tula’s eyes widened. “Where did you meet him?”

“In Solantha. He and I worked on a case together. I noticed your beautiful eyes and how similar they are to his, and I thought you might be of his old clan. He’s a good man.”

“He’s one of my favorite uncles.” The girl gave a little sniffle. Alarmed, I wondered if I’d made a mistake by mentioning Lakin, who she clearly missed. But then she smiled, her shoulders relaxing. “I guess it’s good to know that you’re his friend.”

“He’ll be very happy to learn you’re safe,” I told her, smiling back. I ruffled her hair, then gave her a gentle pat on the back. “I will make sure to tell him all about how I met you, and how brave you’ve been. Go on now.”

I gave her a gentle push in the direction of the carriage, and watched the mages load her up before getting inside. The carriage let out a shrill whistle as it lurched forward, and my heart jumped into my throat as we watched the children leave.

“Small world, isn’t it?” Rylan murmured, placing a hand on my shoulder as he came to stand beside me. “That you happened to have a connection to one of the children?”

“Yeah,” I said, glancing sideways at my cousin. His expression was serious, his yellow shifter eyes broody for once. “It makes me realize it’s not enough to ensure that Canalo is safe. We’re all part of the same country, and our actions affect one another more than we realize.”

Two more steam carriages rolled out of the gate, carrying prisoners, and we stepped back to give them a clear path. Iannis, Lord Logar, and the remaining mages returned via steamcar rather than walking up the long path back to the entrance. My heart began to thump a little faster as Iannis stepped out of the vehicle, a grave expression on his face as he locked eyes with me.

“It is time,” he said. “We’re going to demolish the compound now, and everything in it.”