_Aria’s POV_
The car slowed down after a long drive.
The road became narrow and rough. Stones crunched under the tires. The trees thinned and the air felt colder. I looked out of the window and saw mountains rising around us. They were dark and quiet..... like ancient guards watching over secrets.
Finally, the car stopped. I leaned forward and looked ahead. There was a house.
It stood alone between the mountains. It was not very big but it was solid. The walls were made of stone and wood. Warm yellow light glowed from the windows. It looked old but safe....like it had been standing there for a very long time.
“Where are we?” I asked softly.
Ryan turned to me.
“This is a meeting house for hunters,” he said. “A safe place.”
I swallowed hard.
The word hunters still felt strange in my
