Into the Trap

Kaia's POV -

The stench of blood and smoke filled the air long before we reached the heart of the rogue village. Every breath I took burned in my throat. The ground beneath my boots was slick with mud-or maybe blood-and the air thrummed with the low growls of the creatures waiting for us in the dark.

Bastian gave the signal. One short nod. No words.

We moved.

I slipped through the shatte