I ran.
Through the forest, branches whipping at my face, roots threatening to trip me with every step. The howl echoed in my ears, a sound of such profound grief that it could only mean one thing.
Someone had died.
My mind raced through possibilities, each worse than the last. Damon. Caleb. Finn. One of the warriors I'd come to know, to care about. Someone was gone, and I had no idea who.
The eastern border was chaos when I arrived.
Warriors stood in groups, their faces grim, their weapons still drawn. Some were wounded, being tended by those who could still stand. Others just stared into the forest, their eyes hollow.
I pushed through the crowd, searching. Looking for familiar faces. Looking for—
"Elara."
I spun around. Damon stood there, covered in blood but alive. His eyes met m
