Never an Afterthought

The clearing had gone quiet in Lenora's absence, everyone waiting for her to return before continuing whatever conversation had been suspended.

She walked back toward them, the weight of the last few minutes still settling in her chest.

"What happened," Leona said immediately, reading something in Lenora's expression.

"The door," Lenora said. "Someone's moving on it right now. Ronan and Katya are