Ava’s POV
The rain poured down in relentless sheets, drowning the land and concealing the sounds of our footsteps. The cover of darkness and the storm were our allies tonight, but they did nothing to dampen the sense of dread that gnawed at my insides. We strolled through the forest in silence, the only sound the rhythm of showers striking foliage.
Eli was alongside me, his eyes probing every shade. I could feel the strain pouring off him, echoing my own. We were walking into a trap; we both knew it. But there was no other choice. This was the only lead we had—our last chance to finish this before it was too late.
The trees thinned, revealing an old stone edifice partially concealed by overgrown vines. It had the impression of a place long forgotten, but I knew better. This was where my
