Chapter 24. Teeth in the Dark

The attack came with no sound.

One moment, Hollowridge slept beneath stars choked by ash.
The next, the southern watchtower erupted into fire—and the night fractured.

Flames clawed at the stone.
Shadows screamed.
Wolves woke to the scent of smoke—and something worse beneath it.

Seraya woke to the scent of blood.

Not hers.
Not yet.

The air was thick, metallic, wet. She sat up instantly, blades in hand before breath. Her heartbeat wasn’t fast. It was steady. Ready.

The mark on her chest throbbed—once, twice—as if it too recognized what was coming before the sky began to burn.

She didn’t speak.
She moved.

By the time she reached the inner rampart, Mairead was already there—half-armored, soot on her skin, eyes sharp despite the ash in the