Hayley's POV

The forest was filled with the symphony of our progress, a harmony between swaying branches and muffled footfalls beneath which we stepped across glades and undergrowth to find what mirrored some sort of cultist stronghold. There was such a heavy tension, and it seemed like each sense we had felt was on high alert, knowing what, oh god, you knew.

WHAT WAS GONNA COME NEXT?

The existence of the fortress had inspired us to turn passion and fear into determination. The steady presence of Aiden moved with a quiet grace beside me. Everything we had been through, everything that was expected of us and demanded, pushed our bond...