AUTHOR’S POV

Kael woke up to voices.

At first, they were faint, like echoes far away. Then they grew louder as pain ripped through him. A sharp, burning fire tore through his body, worse around his stomach. He groaned and tried to move, but his body felt heavy.

When he finally opened his eyes, his heart dropped.

He was outside his border.

People stood around him in a loose circle, staring. Some looked shocked. Others looked afraid. A few looked disgusted. Their whispers cut deeper than ...