THE HUNTER'S DESIGN
The moon was too bright.
Elara knew it the moment she stepped onto the balcony that night.
It wasn’t larger. It wasn’t closer. But the light felt deliberate as though it had chosen to linger over Nightfall instead of passing cleanly overhead.
She rested her hands against the cool stone railing and let the air fill her lungs.
The hum inside her had changed again.
Not louder.
Sharper.
Like a blade being honed.
Behind her, Kael was still awake. She could feel it through the bond his thoughts restless, moving faster than his body. He hadn’t slept fully in days. Not since Ravik had fled bleeding into the forest.
She didn’t turn.
She knew if she did, he would come to her immediately. Wrap his arms around her. Stand between her and whatever he believed threatened.
