Celia swayed as they walked, her feet catching on rocks and roots. Lucas finally pulled her into his arms, preferring to carry her than risk her falling. The forest around them was choked with smoke, the acrid scent clinging to their clothes and hair. Another loud crack split the night, followed by a thundering crash as a scorched pine toppled somewhere behind them. He didn’t look back.
By the time they reached the clearing, Celia’s head was tucked beneath his chin, her breathing soft and even. Lucas sank to the ground and held her against him, her body limp with exhaustion. He brushed soot from her cheeks, tracing the faint red marks left by heat and smoke, searching for any sign of injury.
“Well, that was a f*****g disaster,” Landon muttered, dropping to the grass beside him. He pulled
