The night bled thick through the forest, every branch and shadow alive with whispers. Valerius strode at the front, his black coat snapping in the wind, his eyes glowing faintly with hunger and fury. The cursed trees leaned close as if to choke their path, roots snaking across the ground to trip them, thorned branches reaching out like claws.

Behind him, Zoe clung close to Noah, her hand sparking faint pulses of protective energy as she whispered incantations Melinda had taught her. Diana ...