The feeling wouldn’t go away.
Nyra stood at the sanctuary entrance, palm pressed to her chest. The pain had faded, sure, but something heavy lingered—like someone out there, past the mountains, had fixed their unseen stare on her.
The moon hung high, drenching the ancient pines in cold silver.
Everything looked calm.
Way too calm.
The silence felt wrong. The kind that hangs heavy just before something bad happens.
Kael noticed the distant look in her eyes.
“You felt something.”
It wasn’t a question.
Nyra dropped her hand, slow.
“I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Try.”
She searched the shadows under the trees.
“It was like…”
She fumbled for words.
“…like someone reached right into my heart.”
Her voice trembled.
“And then let go.”
Kael’s eyes grew thoughtful.
“The Blood Cr
