They reached the open coast on the third evening.
For most of the day, the road had kept close enough to the sea that they could hear it through the trees, the steady rise and fall of water hidden somewhere beyond the green.
Then the forest opened.
The road curved over one final rise.
And nobody suggested walking any farther.
The sea below them was glowing.
Not brightly.
Not in any way that felt dangerous.
Each wave rolled toward shore carrying a faint blue light through its crest, broke pale against the sand, then drew back into darkness.
Another followed.
Then another.
The whole coastline seemed to breathe.
Valerica stopped mid-step.
Vane saw the old instinct move through her immediately.
Distance.
Pattern.
Possible cause.
Possible threat.
Her eyes tracked the nearest waves, then the shallows farther downshore.
After several seconds, the tension left her shoulders.
Nyx tilted her head.
She was listening too.
"This isn't dangerous."
