Dawn broke with the weight of a storm.
The sky was streaked in shades of pale gray, the air thick with the promise of something coming. The city still felt wrong—as if Zenia’s presence hadn’t truly left, as if her magic still curled at the edges of reality, waiting.
Caroline mounted her horse, her grip firm on the reins. The others were already gathered, their armor secured, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. The time for hesitation was over.
Ezra sat atop his warhorse, his golden eyes scanning the group. “We ride for White Hollow. No stops. No delays.” His voice was final. “If anyone wants to turn back, do it now.”
No one moved.
Liam scoffed. “Yeah, right. Like we’d let you go and have all the fun.”
Ezra gave him a look, but there was something almost like amusement beneath th
