The first body appeared at the river crossing just after midnight.
Nora crouched low beside the still form. "Blake, look at the marks. Same as the ones we tracked. Early signs. He moves faster than we thought."
Blake scanned the dark trees. "Tracks lead north. Fresh. Two sets. We follow quiet. Team stays tight."
One of the riders whispered, "Ma'am, the ground feels wrong. Cold spots. Like something drained it."
Nora stood. "We push on. Report every sign. No one splits off."
They moved through the brush. Moonlight cut thin paths. Another clearing opened with broken branches and deep gouges in the dirt.
Blake pointed. "Here. More. Claw marks but not animal. He tests the borders."
Nora kept her voice low. "Write it down. We take this home. The threat shows itself in pieces."
Back at t
