KAIA'S POV
I didn’t answer him.
Instead, I smiled, waving goodbye to the guys at the border. “Later, guys. Have a nice day.”
“Bye, Kaia.” They waved back before pretending to return to their business, but I could still feel their attention on us.
I turned and started walking toward the path that led to the edge of the clearing. The voices and laughter from the border patrol faded behind me, swallowed by the distance and the silence of the trees ahead.
As I walked, I did a mental count of all the things I needed to do today. It was going to be a painfully long day, that much was for sure. But at least I would have a lot of tasks and assignments to keep me occupied. I hoped.
I knew he followed from the border. His footsteps were heavy behind me, every one of them annoyingly loud, fille
