The sky grew darker. The wind blew sharply, carrying the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves brushing against each other. Evalina and Hunter ran without stopping, their breaths ragged, their feet pounding through mud and tangled roots without care. Behind them, the sound of footsteps chased them like the shadow of death refusing to let go of its prey.

“To the left! Jump over that log!” Hunter shouted.

Evalina nearly fell, but Hunter’s hand caught her wrist just in time. They kept running, crashing through thorny bushes that scratched at their skin. Blood trickled down Evalina’s shin, but she didn’t care.

All that mattered: they were alive.

A stun...