The next day arrived with a flood of sunlight, making it easier for Lyra to guide Icara's flight.
Whenever Lyra wasn't looking, Maya shot Aiden sly, teasing glances, which he met with a mix of restraint and calm.
'What the hell was that last night?' Aiden wondered, both thrilled and confused by what had happened. 'Even if we didn't go too far, my heart's still racing. That kiss… her body… it felt so damn good.'
'But… why did I stop? Why didn't I give in to my urges and keep going?'
"Hey, isn't that the village we're looking for?" Lyra asked, pulling Aiden out of his thoughts.
"That's the one," Maya confirmed. "We'd better tread carefully there. Even I can't navigate that place without getting lost."
"I can see why," Lyra said. "Even from up here, I can't tell where the village starts or ends."
Lyra signaled Icara to descend, and in moments, they were at the outskirts of a village called Fang.
"Doesn't look like there's many people around," Lyra said after making her eagle vanish.
"That's odd," Maya said. "Every time I've been here, this place has been buzzing with noise."
"We'd better get in there and figure out what's going on," Aiden said, taking the lead as Lyra and Maya followed.
As they crossed the village entrance, the trio felt the heavy atmosphere, thickened by the suspicious glares of the few villagers lingering nearby.
"Why are they looking at us like that?" Lyra asked. "And why are people locking themselves in their houses like we're some kind of threat?"
"Maybe to them, we are," Aiden said. "Remember why we're here. These people must be terrified of that gang of criminals."
"And they probably think we're part of it," Maya added. "Which, I get why they'd think that about you two, but I'm offended they've forgotten my face."
"Trust me, I'd love to forget your face too," Lyra shot back, her tone dripping with mockery. "That aside, I'm sure if we try talking to someone, we can—"
"Lyra, watch out!"
Aiden dove at Lyra, shoving her out of the way of an arrow that whizzed toward her.
"What the hell was that?" Lyra gasped, shaken and clinging to Aiden's arms.
When the three turned toward the source of the arrow, they saw a young girl with tied-back hair, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Get out of here!" the girl shouted. "We're sick of bandits like you!"
Her accusation was echoed by a chorus of other villagers:
"Yeah, get lost!"
"You've already stolen enough—we won't let you take more!"
"You bunch of lowlives, we won't give you what you want!"
The insults grew harsher, and Aiden braced himself to dodge another arrow as the girl prepared to fire again.
"Enough!"
The clamor fell silent the moment a deep, commanding female voice echoed through the area.
The source of the silence was a woman with sky-blue hair, dressed in a regal robe that highlighted her stately presence. Despite a few wrinkles, her figure and face retained an undeniable allure, amplified by an expression that demanded respect.
The woman positioned herself between the archer girl and Aiden, locking eyes with him in a piercing stare.
"You'd better tell us your intentions. Otherwise, don't expect to leave this village alive."