Callie’s POV
The forest fell behind faster than I expected.
Not because it had lost its density or darkness…
But because I wasn’t the same person who had crossed it before.
My steps were firmer.
More certain.
Driven by a determination I had never had in my life—one that didn’t come from knowing I was doing the right thing, but from the urgent need to stop letting others decide for me.
I didn’t look back.
Not because I didn’t want to.
But because I knew that if I did… there would be too many reasons to stop.
“They’re still looking for you,” Bellona murmured, with a calm that failed to reassure me.
“I know,” I replied in my mind, not slowing down. “But that doesn’t change anything.”
“It changes everything.”
I ignored that.
Not because it didn’t make sense…
But because if I let
