The path away from the grove was darker than before.
No one spoke.
Behind them, the silver stones of the Echo Grove had dimmed to nothing. But even in silence, it felt like something still watched from behind the trees.
Caitlyn walked between Damien and Mandy, quiet, steady, her fox pressed tightly to her chest. She didn’t hum. She didn’t speak. She just walked.
Thalen moved ahead, eyes sharp on the trail, but slower than usual. As if waiting.
At the edge of a narrow ridge, he stopped.
“We’re not alone,” he said quietly.
Damien tensed. “The Maw?”
Thalen shook his head. “It watches. But it isn’t alone. The Vault saw her in the Grove. And it responded. That’s never happened before. Not to a child.”
Mandy pulled Caitlyn closer, her arms tightening protectively. She looked pale, her v
