***CONRY***

A sudden sound hit the air like something was splitting the earth in half. Sharp. Deep.

“Did you hear that?” Jade asked, his face dropping.

I didn’t answer at first. I just stared toward the echo’s direction, the way it traveled through the cold like a warning. Then I nodded once.

“Yes.”

Jade’s jaw tightened. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

I didn’t look at him. I didn’t need to. I nodded again.

That was enough.

We moved without another word, ...