The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the air.
It was cold, but not heavy or sharp like the shadow realm. The sunlight filtered through trees, making long patterns on the ground. Birds called from above. It felt… normal. Safe.
I blinked and realized I was lying on a patch of moss, Asher beside me. While Gage and Arlo were on the other side of the tree. Gage’s chest rose and fell steadily, warm and alive. I had expected him to collapse or be too weak to move, but he wasn’t. He was here. Real.
I let out a shaky breath. “Gage… you’re okay.”
He turned his head toward me, smiling faintly, still trembling a little. “I… I am. Thanks to you.”
I helped him sit up. “We need to get back to the packhouse. We need supplies and answers. The shadow realm… it’s not over. There’s more we
