Chapter 32: Echoes of Victory
The roar of battle faded into an eerie stillness, the air heavy with the acrid scent of blood and venom. Inside the central courtyard of the Nightshade compound, where Sophia sat among the non-fighters, elders, children, and those untrained for combat, the tension was a living thing, coiling tighter with every distant snarl or clash of steel.
The horn's echo lingered in their minds, a reminder of the peril beyond the walls. Sophia's fingers fidgeted on the bench, her thoughts spiraling around the Trihydra's chilling gaze.
It had seen her, spoken to her in some wordless, primal way. Her curiosity burned, but Caspian's earlier scolding kept her rooted, surrounded by the anxious murmurs of the pack.
A sudden cheer erupted from the walls, sharp and jubilant, shattering the silence. Sophia's head snapped up, her heart leaping. The courtyard stirred, children peeking from behind their mothers, elders exchanging hopeful glances.
