Rissa’s POV

The forest doesn’t slow me down.

If anything, it sharpens me.

Every breath burns, but I welcome it. Pain keeps me grounded. Keeps me here. Not lost in the pull of power, not swallowed by whatever is changing inside me.

Behind me, the Hunters are still coming.

Closer than before.

Faster.

“They’re not even hiding it anymore,” I mutter under my breath.

A branch snaps somewhere to my right.

Another behind me.

They’re tightening the net again.

I don’t panic.

Not this ...