Ivy pov

I felt it before anyone spoke. The land went quiet in a way that felt wrong. Not peaceful. Not calm. Just empty, like something important had stepped back and left us exposed. I stood at the edge of the courtyard, Rick’s hand warm in mine, and my Luna mark burned hard enough that I had to grit my teeth.

Lucien was already there, boots planted, shoulders tense.

“Something’s failing,” he said.

“It’s already failed,” I answered.

A sharp crack echoed through the air. One of ...