Chapter 71. Rest Easy

ARDEN

The scent of the trees refreshed my senses as we made our way back to the campsite. I kept my eyes fixed on the towering trunks, but my thoughts drifted far from the serene scenery. What we had witnessed in that cabin would linger in my mind for a long time.

Cade and I made sure to place everything back in its proper order—not a single item remained in sight, except for the necklace I had retrieved from the remains. We hoped this would ensure that no one discovered we had stumbled upon the secret hideout.

“What happens now?” I asked quietly, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped us. My voice felt small and delicate in the stillness of the forest. “Do you think this has something to do with the videos?”

Cade’s jaw clenched as he stared straight ahead.

“It has to,” he finally replied. “Those videos exist for a reason. Winters probably sent us here to keep us out of the way, to make it seem like a favor or a break.”

“But really, it was a co