The fire crackled softly in the silence of the night. Shadows danced across the trees as the flames flickered, casting a dim light over the weary group. Despite the warmth of the fire, an unshakable chill clung to Elena’s skin. It wasn’t from the cold air—it was something deeper.
Something unseen.
Sleep did not come easily.
Elena lay on the hard ground, staring up at the night sky. The stars were brighter here, sharper, as if the sky itself was closer. But even their beauty couldn’t distract her from the nagging feeling in her chest.
The voice from the ruins.
You remember.
She turned onto her side, watching the firelight flicker across Kael’s face. He had fallen asleep sitting up, his back against a tree, arms crossed tightly over his chest. Serin was on the opposite side of the fire
