THORNE POINT OF VIEW.

The night should have been quiet.

Not the fragile kind of quiet that comes with unease, but the earned stillness after strain, after prophecy and posturing, after Moonfang’s shadows and the Sacred Moon’s long, watchful presence finally loosened their grip on the world. The gathering was behind us. The omens had been spoken. The balance, for now, had held.

I should have felt relief.

Instead, something restless lingered beneath my skin.

I stood alone in my chamber, ...