The Hollow didn’t stir at dawn. It waited.
The council had left, the echo of their threats trailing behind them like ghosts. But the air felt different—tighter. Like the ground was holding its breath, waiting for the next break.
Kael was alone on the northern hill, and his shadow was quite clear against the sun. His back was to me. He hadn’t touched me since the last council meeting.
Not because he feared me.
Because he feared what came with me.
I didn’t blame him.
Because I had begun to fear it, too.
I walked to him anyway, barefoot across stone slick with dew.
“You’ve been out here all night,” I said softly.
Kael didn’t move. “I can smell them. Watching.”
“Who?”
He turned his head a little bit. “Something older than us.”
My chest tightened. “The Ancients?”
“No. Worse.” He t
