VANESSA'S POV
The journey back through the tunnels was a blur of shadows and Adrien's unwavering strength. I kept my face buried against his neck, breathing in his scent-pine, night air, and the faint, sharp tang of blood-a scent that should have been alarming but was now the most comforting thing in the world. It was the scent of my rescue.
The cold, dead energy of the cult's stronghold gradually faded, replaced by the fresh, living chill of the night forest. When we finally emerged, the full moon hung high in the sky, its light feeling gentle now, restorative, not the overwhelming torrent it had been underground.
Eclipse warriors moved with efficient urgency, securing prisoners, checking the perimeter. The air was thick with the aftermath of violence, but also with a palpable sense of
