Dawn bled grey across the mountaintops as Leo led the small group down toward Shadow Ravine. Snow clung to the rocks, whispering of silence—and death.
Seph walked beside him, wrists unbound but steps heavy.
“You could've left me," she murmured.
“I've done that once already," he replied. “I won't do it again."
Behind them, Cormac whistled for the horses, then lowered his voice. “Scouts say the Ravine is empty. Too empty."
Seph frowned. “We're being watched."
Leo nodded. “Let them watch."
They descended into the narrow gorge. Every step echoed between cliffs like a heartbeat doubled.
Then came the attack—not from above, but from beneath.
Bursts of dirt exploded. Masked wolves in bone-stitched armor surged from dug-out pits, surrounding them. Spears bristled. Sigils burned.
The lead
