Chapter 22 Secrets Revealed

• The morning sun barely broke through the thick forest cover, its light throwing weak golden streaks over the packhouse. The fight of the previous night had left the air heavy with dread. Elara sat in the corner of the main hall, repeating the events in her mind while her fingers traced the worn edges of her mother’s book.
• “Morning.” A low, gravelly voice cut through her thoughts.
• She looked up quickly to see the mystery stranger, Marcus, now sitting on the opposite bench. His intense gaze held hers, unreadable.