I returned to the forest meeting site the next night, my determination overriding any concern for personal safety. Kane would follow—I knew him well enough to predict that much—but I couldn't let his emotional withdrawal stop me from gathering the evidence we desperately needed.
The night was darker than usual, heavy clouds obscuring the moon and stars, creating perfect conditions for surveillance but also making the forest feel more ominous. Every shadow seemed to hold potential threats, every rustling branch a possible enemy watching my movements.
Kane appeared in the shadows just as I finished setting up the surveillance equipment, his presence both expected and unwelcome. He materialized from the darkness with his characteristic silent grace, like a predator stalking prey.
"I told y
