The first time Nightfall smelled like danger to Aria, it started with Lena swearing at the sky.
“You’re glaring at clouds,” Aria observed. “Did they offend you personally?”
Lena squinted up at the low, heavy mass rolling in from the west. “Storm coming in faster than it should,” she said. “Rowan wants an extra pair of eyes on the south trail before it hits. You walking or hiding today?”
“Is that the official choice list?” Aria asked.
“For you? Today, yes.”
“Walking,” Aria said before she could talk herself out of it.
“Good.” Lena tossed her a spare scarf. “Wrap up. If you freeze, Rowan will make me listen to lectures about ‘resource management’ and I’m not in the mood.”
They left the warmth of the hall and headed toward the tree line. The air had teeth, sharper than the last few day
