Kiernan’s POV
The woods had always been quiet at dawn, but that morning, they felt dead.
Not calm.
Not peaceful.
Just still—like something was holding its breath beneath the surface.
Like the forest itself was waiting for the worst to come.
I kept a firm grip on Ivy’s shoulder as I guided her back from the Hollow. Her skin was clammy. Her eyes were distant. Selena trailed behind us, silent and ashamed, but I barely looked at her. All my focus was on Ivy.
She looked like someone who had walked through hell.
Elias was already ahead, scanning the path for danger. His jaw was tight. I knew he was worried, but Elias always handled things with quiet concern. I didn’t. My worry came with fire.
I wanted to kill Magnus.
Not arrest. Not contain. Kill.
Because whatever he’d done to Ivy—wh
