The forest wind hissed through twisted branches, and even with the filtered morning sunlight, the air felt heavy. Lyra pulled River’s cloak tighter around her. The fabric still carried his scent, earth, wood, and faintly, blood. In no man’s land, someone always seemed to be dying.

The walk had been silent. For hours she followed him, deciding it was the best option. But as the forest thickened and the growls of renegades grew more frequent, her trust began to falter.

Wouldn’t it be safer to sli