Chapter 138

Maren

The danger doesn’t arrive like fear.

Fear is loud. Sharp. Easy to recognize.

This—this is heavier. Thicker. It seeps into my lungs with every breath, settles into my blood, waits for me to panic so it can own me.

I feel it the second Zarek vanishes.

Not relief.

Aftershock.

The forest is still burning in places, embers drifting through the air like dying stars. The leyline beneath my feet thr