Ember Frost’s POV

We had done everything within our reach, but it still wasn’t enough to bring him back the way everyone had hoped. Elder Anna took it the hardest. She didn’t say much, but it showed on her — that quiet mix of failure and worry she couldn’t hide.

With no clear leader left standing, the responsibility naturally fell on me. I didn’t have the space to fall apart. Everyone was scattered, searching for direction, so I stepped into that gap and did what I could to keep ...