Smoke curled in lazy ribbons toward the low ceiling, tangled with the sour stench of cheap ale and sweat. Dice clattered against scarred wooden tables. Coins changed hands in quick, furtive movements.

In the corner, a man with wild black hair and a cigarette dangling from his lips watched the room with half-lidded eyes.

But the girl sitting alone at the far table—worn boots, calloused hands wrapped around a half-empty mug, jaw set like she was waiting for someone to start something—caught his attention in a way that had nothing to do with magic.