The smoke rising beyond the trees was darker than storm clouds-almost alive. It coiled against the wind instead of breaking apart, thick with something I could feel more than see: rage, hunger,grief.
Father ordered patrols immediately, but even as the warriors moved, I felt the hum inside me deepen. It wasn’t fear. It was recognition.
“We have to see it,” I said.
“Absolutely not,” Father snapped. “You three stay here.”
Jame’s jaw set. Lilly’s eyes flashed gold. I met his gaze. “Dad, the smoke’s reacting to us.”
He hesitated only a heartbeat before turning to our mother. She nodded once. “Go. But together.”
We reached the tree line within minutes. The air vibrated like the edge of a song only the three of us could hear. When we stepped closer, the world shimmered-the same distortion t
