Mira moved through the mountains like she'd been carved from them, finding trails Julian would have sworn didn't exist, narrow gaps between rock faces that seemed to open only once she'd already stepped through.
"How much time does this actually save us," Julian asked, breathing hard as they climbed a steep, hidden switchback that cut directly through what had looked, from below, like solid stone.
"A full day, maybe more." Mira didn't slow her pace, though she glanced back often, checking on him with the same sharp assessment she'd given him in the ravine. "These paths were carved by the old guardians centuries ago.
"You've used them before?"
"Once. A very long time ago." Something shadowed passed behind her eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared. "I haven't had a reason to walk them sin
