Xilon flew into the rumbling gas clouds to conceal himself from the Tryns. Irritation snapped along his veins. He hated hiding, but he'd rather hunt for Ash's remains without Tryns poking at him.

Smoke curled from the forest below while embers glowed in the wreckage.

Now that nearly all the trees had been demolished, Xilon could land without ripping down the forest.

"Jemna kerzob yomon, Ash," he said aloud. I'm so sorry, Ash.

The scent of ...