Elena
*****Mid-Morning — Temporary Stronghold in the Valley*****
For one single heartbeat, we had peace.
And then the world remembered who we were.
The camp was waking when it happened, not in panic, not in fear. Just normal sounds. Warriors stretching. Someone pouring water. Someone laughing. The smell of bread and smoke filled the air. The valley looked calm, almost beautiful.
I didn’t trust it.
Peace never lasted for people like us.
Chase stood beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth but not touching me. Like he was afraid that if he did, everything would fall apart.
Lucian was on the ridge above us, arms crossed, eyes locked on the distance. He didn’t look relaxed. He never did. He looked like a weapon waiting to be used.
Finn and Fia sat on a blanket in front of
