The caravan stretched like a scar through the forest, a slow-moving line of warriors, supply wagons, and watchful scouts. The sun filtered through the branches above, casting dappled gold across armor and bruises. Hollow Mountain loomed in the far distance, its jagged silhouette a dark promise against the sky.
It wasn’t the honeymoon Celeste had imagined. Then again, nothing about the last forty-eight hours had followed the script.
She rode at the head of the group, flanked by Lis and Logan, with Hunter a few strides behind her. She hadn’t spoken to him since dawn.
Around them, the air was tense. They were moving, yes, but not fleeing. This was a strategic regroup. After the corrupted nest near the ridge had been burned out, they knew it was only a matter of time before more appeared. H
