Luca stood at the cave entrance, watching the forest as the first rays of dawn broke through the trees. He'd been on watch for three hours now, and exhaustion was pulling at every muscle in his body. Behind him, Cassian slept fitfully against the cave wall while Killian paced in restless circles. Rafe sat beside Bella's unconscious form, his hand resting on her shoulder like he could keep her anchored to the living world through touch alone.
"Anything?" Cassian asked, his voice rough with sleep.
"Nothing yet. But they're coming. I can feel it."
The mate bond hummed with warning, that instinct that told him danger was approaching even when his eyes couldn't see it yet.
Killian stopped pacing. "How much longer do you think we have?"
"Not long. Korvin went straight to Maren. She'll want to strike while Bella's still unconscious."
"Then we should move her. Find somewhere more defensible."
