The scent of burning ash was the first thing I noticed.

Not smoke. Ash.

Old. Bitter. Like secrets buried too long clawing their way back to the surface.

The fortress, once buzzing with the quiet rhythm of warriors and healers, now felt wrong. The halls echoed too loudly. The shadows lingered too long. Even the air was colder.

Something was coming. And it was already here.

Henry was the first to notice the change in the guards.

"Their eyes," he said, pulling me aside as we passed two ...