Page 157 of When the Stars Were Devoured

I inhale deeply until my lungs burn from the freezing temperatures and hold.

Rune, Caym, and Leeson will be here shortly with the others.

Some of us stayed to fight and disembowel the rule that would collar us.

But for now, I settle my gaze on the wall of storm clouds that surround us in a bowl.

Once we passed into the ancient lands of oracles, nature had taken us this far, herding us towards whatever beckoned.

I tried to send Oak away, to save her from these chilling temperatures, but she was unrelenting until she was allowed to join me.

Her nearby cry trills into my ears and I turn my head to see her perched on a giant branch covered in snow as white as her fluffy feathers.

I focus on the expanse of land behind me and can’t help but feel in my soul that something comes.

A strange feeling washes over me as I look to the north.

A caress in the depths of my mind, like phantom fingers tracing my jawline.

Kassiel.