Jolie POV

"This is going to hurt."

Elena leads me away from camp, deeper into the forest where the trees grow so thick the sunlight barely penetrates. My boots crunch on fallen pine needles, and the air smells rich.

"You already said that." I hug myself, suddenly cold despite my jacket. "About six times now."

"Because you need to understand." She stops in a small clearing where a circle of white stones sits in the grass. "What I did yesterday was emergency treatment. I created pathways, but I ...