“Get used to it.”
The certainty in his voice sends a soft laugh escaping my chest.
Outside the cave the forest continues waking slowly, unaware that two fugitives are sharing breakfast in its shadows while the ashes of a village cool miles behind them.
For a little while longer, the world feels almost peaceful. Then the bond shifts. The change is subtle at first.
A ripple of awareness brushes the edge of my thoughts like the distant vibration of footsteps traveling through earth. Threxian feels it too. His body stills instantly beside me.
“What is it?” I whisper.
“Visitors.”
The word carries quiet certainty. A moment later I hear them as well. Branches snapping. Boots crushing leaves. Too many footsteps to be hunters.
Threxian rises smoothly to his feet and pulls me with him, his wings shifting slightly as he moves toward the cave entrance. I follow close behind.
The forest beyond the cave is no longer empty. Figures move between the trees. A dozen villagers emerge slowly from the undergrowth, their weapons glinting in the morning light as they spread cautiously through the clearing. Some carry bows. Others grip axes or hunting spears.
And at the center of them stands Ravik Keld. His gaze fixes on me.
“So,” he says hoarsely. “The witch lives and you are still not leaving.”
Fear stirs faintly in the crowd behind him as their eyes drift toward the towering demon beside me. Threxian does not move. I step forward before he can.
“Ravik,” I say quietly.
His jaw tightens.
“You destroyed our home.”
“I know.”
The words leave me without hesitation.
“I’m sorry.”
The apology hangs in the morning air, fragile and heavy all at once.
“But I will not apologize for surviving.”
Murmurs ripple through the villagers. Ravik’s expression hardens.
“Then leave.”
The demand is simple.
“Leave these woods. Leave this land. And never return.”
I look past him toward the distant tree line where the road to Briarthorn disappears. The village that once felt like home no longer exists.
“Briarthorn will never accept me again,” I say quietly.
“No.”
“I understand that.”
Another tense silence follows.
