Ember Frost’s POV

He paused, then continued, his voice dropping to a low, strained whisper.

“The tree moved.”

He glanced at us, making sure we were following every word, his eyes wide and haunted.

“Not like trees swaying in the wind. It moved. Its limbs shot at me—fast, piercing. They tore through my skin like thin spears. I didn’t even have the strength to fight back. I was too tired… too weak to do anything.”

I swallowed hard, a shiver crawling down my spine. The thought ...