Hayley’s POV

 

The words Kieran spoke hung in the air, and my heart skipped a beat. His back was still facing us, but his stance seemed to have changed; he had demonstrated a level of alertness that wasn't there before. When he said it, the weight in his voice sounded heavier than ever, as though even the silence of the woods had whispered allies to him.

 

"There he is?" The words came out as a near whisper, barely over the thundering of my heart. My gaze flicked wildly as I realized he was nowhere to be found.

 

Kieran moved out of the way, and his torch picked through the gloom...