The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon as Aria and Sebastian reached the edge of the harbour, panting and soaking from their sprint through the forest. The water before them gleamed like molten silver, undisturbed and serene as if nothing had happened in the hours they’d been running.

“Do you think they’ll follow us here?” Aria asked, her voice still trembling from the adrenaline.

Sebastian’s eyes scanned the docks, taking in the quiet scene. He shook his head. “They might be looking for us, but they won’t find us here. Not yet.”

A shiver ran down Aria’s spine at the memory of Samuel’s eyes, so fierce and familiar, as if he’d been waiting for her. She swallowed hard, pushing the doubt and fear away. “We need to go after him,” she said, the determination in her voice ringing louder than she felt.

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “First, we need answers. If Samuel’s still alive, then so are those who wanted him gone. We need to know who they are, and why they’re hunting him.”

A sharp whistle cut through the morning air, and Aria spun around, heart leaping into her throat. A man stood at the edge of the dock, dressed in a worn coat with a hat pulled low over his eyes. The tension in his posture told Aria he wasn’t there for a friendly chat.

Sebastian stepped in front of her, eyes narrowing. “Who are you?”

The man pushed back his hat and met Sebastian’s gaze. His face was weathered and lined, but his eyes held the kind of sharp intelligence that could cut through lies.

“Name’s Isaac,” the man said, voice low and gravelly. “I heard you were looking for Samuel Hale.”

Aria’s breath caught. “You know where he is?”

Isaac looked past Sebastian, meeting her eyes for a heartbeat before turning to the water. “I know more than I should,” he muttered. “But we need to talk somewhere safe. The shadows have ears, and they’re listening.”

Sebastian tensed but nodded. “Let’s move. Lead the way.”

Isaac led them through the maze of back alleys behind the waterfront, past the scent of fish and the old warehouses where the scent of salt mingled with rust. They entered a small, dimly lit tavern that looked like it hadn’t changed since it was built. Inside, the noise of the early morning crowd was punctuated by the sharp clink of mugs and the hushed tones of sailors and merchants.

Isaac pulled them to a corner booth, away from prying eyes. The old wood creaked beneath them as they settled into the booth, and Isaac’s eyes darted around the room before finally meeting Sebastian’s.

“Samuel Hale,” Isaac said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. “He was never just a ghost story. He was a symbol. The one who knew too much. And they couldn’t let him live.”

Aria leaned forward, the burning question she’d been holding back finally spilling out. “Who are ‘they’? Why did they want him silenced?”

Isaac’s eyes darkened. “It’s not a simple story. Samuel was investigating the Underkeep—a secret network within the city that runs deeper than the currents of Azure Bay. They control everything from politics to the fate of the poor.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, and his eyes flickered with recognition. “The Underkeep… I’ve heard rumours. But I thought they were just that—rumours.”

“They’re not,” Isaac said, his voice sharper now. “And Samuel knew the truth. He was ready to expose them, but when he did, he became a target. So he ran. And they chased him into the night.”

Aria’s heart thumped painfully in her chest. “And now they’re after me. They think I know something. But I don’t.”

Isaac met her gaze, the shadow of sympathy in his eyes. “You do now. You’re tied to Samuel’s fate, whether you want to be or not. If you’re looking for him, you’ll need to be prepared. The Underkeep won’t just let you walk away with secrets they’ve kept for generations.”

Sebastian’s face was hard, determined. “We’re not walking away. Not without him.”

Isaac’s eyes softened for a moment, then hardened again. “Then you’re already in deeper than you know. The questions you have are going to lead to more than just answers. They’re going to lead to danger, betrayal, and choices that will change everything.”

Aria swallowed, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. “What do we do now?”

Isaac stood, his silhouette casting a long shadow over the floor. “We start with what we know. We find Samuel. And we make sure the Underkeep knows we’re not afraid.”

Sebastian glanced at Aria, his voice low and fierce. “No matter what it takes.”

Aria nodded, a flicker of hope sparking in her eyes. The search for Samuel had become a battle, not just for answers, but for survival. And this was only the beginning.