“You're sure this is the place?" Cassian asked, voice hoarse from the climb.
Elias nodded, scanning the ravine. “The scouts said she vanished here. No blood trail. No campfire. Just smoke residue."
Cassian stared at the scorched pine needles and faint footprints leading nowhere. “She covered her tracks."
“Or someone helped her vanish."
Cassian knelt, running fingers through the ash. “No. She's practiced. Alone."
“Why does it matter, my lord?" Elias asked carefully. “She's a healer. A mute. A ghost."
Cassian stood slowly. “She's the only ghost that ever touched me without drawing blood."
---
Elsewhere, Irene moved quietly through the underbrush.
“You followed him far enough," Mikhail said, trailing behind. “You saw his city. His court. Why go back again?"
“He hesitated," Irene sai
