Mondel's POV
I pull the hood further over my face as I walk through the horde of people gathered at the base of Mount Rainier. Looking up, thick layers of fog guarded the peak as ominous echos of the surrounding wildlife fill the air. The clanging of chains behind me has me turning around to see a group of guards leading Kara and Cora towards me. They stop and check their shackles before bowing and leaving us alone. Kara avoids my gaze as Cora stares at me silently, the bruise on her right cheek reminding me of how I lost my cool with her two days ago. The hurt and sorrow burning my chest is immediately clouded over by the burning rage in the pit of my stomach as Cora opens her mouth to speak.
"Don't!" I say briskly as I move to walk past them. Her shackled arm shoots out to grab my arm
