The forest burned around them, ash falling like snow.
Kaela and Kaden moved to a hidden safehouse—the old ruins of a rebel beast-tamer camp.
Ashveil rested nearby, still unstable, but breathing.
Kaden examined his headset. Fried circuits. "No more scans for a while."
Kaela stitched his wound. "You almost died, y'know."
Kaden shrugged. "It's my thing."
But his hands shook slightly.
Inside him, something dark had awakened during that last fight.
And it hadn't gone back to sleep.