Cassian
The mountain pass narrows the farther east we travel. Stone walls rise sharply on both sides, jagged enough to cut the sky into uneven strips of gray as cold wind tears through the cliffs hard enough to sting exposed skin.
Most warriors would hate terrain like this. Too many blind corners. Too many places for enemies to disappear. Too many ways to die before seeing the attack coming.
But right now, the mountains are the least dangerous thing surrounding us.
Aria’s presence flickers weakly beneath my ribs. Not gone. Never gone. But strained—like something keeps pulling against the connection every time it strengthens.
The chains.
Whoever took her built restraints strong enough to interfere with an ancient bond. That alone makes this enemy more dangerous than anything we antici
