At the Forest Edge,
The trees swallowed them quickly.
Shadows stretched long between trunks, moonlight breaking in fractured lines across the ground.
Rowan slowed.
“It’s stronger here.”
Lyra nodded.
“I feel it.”
Adrian said nothing—but his posture shifted.
Subtle.
Predatory.
His senses sharpened, drawing in every detail—the wind direction, the faint disturbances in the undergrowth, the rhythm of movement that didn’t belong.
Something moved.
Fast.
To the left.
Rowan turned instantly.
“There”
A blur cut through the trees.
Lyra moved without hesitation.
She gave chase.
Rowan followed.
Adrian right behind him.
Branches snapped underfoot, the forest rushing past in streaks of shadow and silver.
The figure ahead was fast.
Too fast for a normal human.
Rowan’s breath steadi
