Chapter 101

The forest was quiet as dusk painted the horizon in deep gold and muted violet, the air sharp with the scent of pine and damp earth. Kaia stood at the edge of the clearing behind the packhouse, her fingers tracing the carved stones that still bore the remnants of the ritual. They pulsed faintly, as if remembering the magic that had burned there only hours ago. She exhaled slowly, feeling the weigh