The valley was silent when they returned.
Too silent. The kind of silence that pressed against the ears and made the heart beat faster. No birds sang. No insects buzzed. The wind itself seemed to hold its breath, as if the valley knew what had happened here and was waiting to see what would come next.
Lena moved at the front of the small rescue party, her light flickering uncertainly in the gray dawn. Kael ran beside her in wolf form, his golden eyes scanning the tree line, the rocks, the shadows beneath the fallen trees. Caspian shadowed her other side, his ancient senses stretched to their limit, searching for any sign of danger. Lilith followed close behind, her face pale, her hands trembling. Mira and a handful of hybrids brought up the rear, their faces grim, their weapons drawn.
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