Athena

The first light of dawn crept slowly into the trees, painting the forest in muted golds and greens. My body ached in ways I hadn’t known possible, each muscle rebelling against the tension of the night. Light and Liam slept fitfully against me, their tiny breaths rhythmic but shallow, as if even in slumber they were aware of the danger lingering nearby.

I dared not close my eyes. The forest seemed too quiet, too heavy. Gian’s shadow still lingered in my mind, a dark presence ...