KAIA'S POV
The burial ended as quickly as it started.
Gareth's voice was clipped and cold, carrying no warmth as he spoke the final words over the graves. There was no space for grief, no silence for mourning. Just words, earth falling over wood, and then it was done. Three lives—snatched, buried, forgotten before most even had time to breathe them in.
I stood still long after the others began to leave, my stomach twisted. Something about it felt wrong, like the ceremony had been more about covering something up than honoring the dead. And I didn't like it. Only the goddess knows what Gareth is up to this time around.
Athena appeared at my side moments later. She gave a brief nod toward her home, and without a word, I followed her.
We were silent for most of the walk until finally, I
