Three days later.
The first body appeared at dawn.
It was found just outside Black Hollow's northern border.
No blood.
No wounds.
No signs of struggle.
The wolf had simply... stopped.
Frozen where he stood.
Eyes open.
Expression trapped somewhere between confusion and terror.
Midnight knew something was wrong the second she arrived.
The forest felt wrong.
Silent.
Too silent.
No birds.
No insects.
No wind.
Even the trees seemed frozen.
Kael crouched beside the body, silver eyes narrowed.
"What do you smell?"
Midnight closed her eyes.
The wolf inside her stirred.
The demon listened.
The throne beneath the mountain quietly paid attention.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
No scent.
No magic.
No energy.
Just absence.
Midnight's stomach tightened.
"There should be some
