Chapter 102. Any Last Words?

Kasia’s gaze were fixed on the men and women working tirelessly to hammer and hoist the beams back into place. The air was thick with sawdust and the scent of pine, a stark contrast to the acrid smell of smoldering ruins and blood that had filled the air only a day before. Ethan stood at the heart of it all, directing efforts.

They hadn’t spoken since the night of the celebration, each focused on their own ocean of responsibilities and unspoken tensions. Yet, Kasia could feel the weight of his presence in her mind, checking on her, coaxing her to ensure that she ate and slept.

As dusk crept across the sky, painting it in hues of burnt orange and fading blue, Kasia retreated to the solitude of her room. There, huddled around a cluster of flickering candles, sat the witches, their faces grave as they pored over ancient texts.

“Anything?” Kasia’s voice broke the rhythmic hum of their chants.

One witch, her silver hair reflecting the candlelight, shook her head.