The forest had gone unnaturally still. Not quiet—no, never quiet. The feral rogues still circled them, their snarls low, their movements restless. But there was something different now… something heavier pressing down on the air itself. Darker. Colder. Diana stilled mid-breath, her grip tightening around her katana. Her senses sharpened. Her instincts screamed.
We are being watched.
Her voice slipped into the bond between her and Talon.
But not like before…
A pause.
This is different.
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the shifting shadows.
It’s darker… dangerous.
Talon’s aura flared in response, low and controlled—but lethal.
We might need to run, he answered immediately.
There was no pride in his tone. Only calculation.
We cannot fight all these ferals… and whatever is controlli
