Prologue

In a city designed to trap its people, where every turn is a dead end and every shadow watches, Lira Wren is running for her life. Branded as a Ravent-a rebel against the system-she's hunted at every step. With her mother gone and her little brother taken, Lira's only goal is to survive long enough to find them. But when an old betrayal resurfaces, and the city's secrets unravel, she realizes she's not just running from the enemy... she might be running straight into their hands. The clock is ticking. The escape code has been set. But will she make it out before time runs out?