Lola’s POV

The forest felt different tonight. Not just the chill in the air or the thick clouds veiling the moon, but something older, heavier. Like time was folding in on itself.

I stood at the edge of the cliffs where the training grounds met the Wildlands. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since Kael returned. Since the moment I saw him bloodied, bruised... alive.

He hadn’t spoken much about what happened in the crypt. Only that something had been released, and something had been sealed again.

But I knew better.

He was changed. His eyes were the same, his voice calm. But his soul? It carried a storm.

I turned...