The air had changed. Not subtly. Not gradually. It pressed—thick, heavy, suffocating—like the forest itself had begun to breathe wrong. Ravenna stepped closer, her white garments whispering against the ground as her gaze flicked between Diana and Talon.
There was urgency now. Real urgency. No more distance. No more riddles.
“When I give you the word…” she said, her voice low but steady, “you both need to run.”
Talon’s eyes narrowed instantly. “Run?”
Ravenna didn’t hesitate. “We are close to the Rogue Kingdom’s borders.” A pause—her gaze locking onto Talon. “You can mindlink your sister.”
That made Talon stiffen. “How do you know that my sister is in the Rogue Kingdom?” Suspicion sharpened his tone.
Ravenna didn’t flinch. “Because,” she said quietly, “it’s not only Thorne who is keepi
