The estate was quieter than Kaelen remembered.
Not silent.
Quiet.
There was a difference.
People stood outside their homes, watching the forest.
Only a few days ago, they had been too afraid to even approach the trees. Now sunlight passed freely between the branches. Birds had returned to the canopy. Small animals moved through the undergrowth without fear.
The corruption was gone.
But Kaelen could still feel something beneath the earth.
Not darkness.
A presence.
Ancient and watchful.
He stopped at the edge of the village and looked toward the forest.
The guardians had followed them as far as the trees.
They did not cross the boundary.
They simply stood among the trunks, watching.
"You look tired."
Kaelen glanced beside him.
Alistair stood there, his eyes fixed on him. For some reason, he and Lysander had taken to staying close whenever Kaelen was alone.
"I'm fine."
"You always say that."
