The chamber felt colder when we left it behind.
The forest air hit like a shock — too bright, too loud and too alive. My hands still shook. The journal weighed heavy in my arms, its faint silver glow fading under the morning light.
Talon stayed close as we walked back toward the packhouse. He didn’t say much, but I could feel him watching me. Every few steps, I felt his gaze on my wrist where the mark still pulsed faintly.
“What are you thinking?” I asked finally.
“That you shouldn’t have gone down there alone.” He said. “That I shouldn’t have let you the first time.”
I managed a small, tired smile. “You didn’t exactly have a choice.”
He gave a quiet huff of breath. “You never make it easy.”
By the time we reached the edge of the clearing, the others were already waiting. Kael stood
