Chapter 26 Cabin Of Ash

• The cabin was hidden among the pines, high on an alpine pass where snow fell with the slowness of a countdown. The roof was low, the wood creaked with the wind, and the air smelled of damp firewood and ancient resin. Verona had used that refuge before, to hide weapons, allies, or memories. Now it was hiding us.
• Inside, the silence was thick. The only light came from the fire in the hearth, painting the walls with trembling shadows. An old radio murmured French jazz from a forgotten corner of the kitchen. On the table, a cup of coffee Dante hadn’t finished was still steaming. He had set the table for two... and we never made it to our seats.
• Dante was bleeding.