Chapter 28 The Blood Marsh

• The air was thick with the stench of iron and rot. The Blood Marsh stretched before us—an endless sea of crimson water and twisted trees that whispered secrets to the wind. Every step sank into mud that seemed alive, clutching at my boots like it wanted to pull me under.
• Lucien’s hand brushed mine as we walked. His touch was warm, grounding, even here—where the air tasted of fear and death. His golden eyes glowed faintly in the fog.
• “Stay close, Scarlet,” he said, voice low. “Kael knows we’re here.”