But behind them, in the woods, something laughed. A sound like leaves crackling. Like fire growing.
The morning came quietly, with soft dew on the grass and a heavy silence over the camp that felt too deep to be peaceful. Jude was already awake, sitting at the edge of the hut, rubbing his thumb against the wooden handle of his blade without really thinking. Sophie stirred beside him, her eyes slow to open, but when they did, they immediately locked with his. There was no confusion in them, no sleepiness. Just the weight of what they'd seen. What they'd felt.
They didn't speak. Instead, they sat together, watching the others from a distance as the day began to stretch and move like a restless animal. Rose emerged first, humming. Her hair shimmered in the early sun, her robe falling off one shoulder as if she had no idea, or maybe she did. Her eyes were half-lidded, lips curved upward in that soft, knowing smile. Layla followed behind, eyes already fixed on her like a magnet.
