CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - ASHES FALL LIKE SNOW

Aria paced the confines of the cold, damp cell. Her violet eyes darted around, searching for any weakness in their prison. Her mother, Elena, sat on the lone cot, her silver hair matted and tangled. "There has to be a way out," Aria muttered, running her hands along the rough stone walls. Elena's voice was soft but firm. "Aria, stop. We need to conserve our energy." Aria whirled to face her mother. "For what? To wait for dawn when they'll drag us out to die?" "No," Elena said, her violet eyes - so like her daughter's - flashing with determination. "To seize the right moment when it comes." Aria let out a frustrated growl. "And when will that be? We're running out of time!" Elena patted the space beside her on the cot. "Come, sit with me. Let's talk strategy." Reluctantly, Aria joined her mother. Elena took her daughter's hand, squeezing it gently. "Your father may be cruel, but he's predictable," Elena explained. "He'll want to gloat before the end. We can use that." Aria's br