The thorn crown

The wind changed first.

It carried something different.....

not the scent of blood or ash or Kael's constant heat.

Something… hollow.

Like absence.

We were deep in the mosswood now, thick roots curling like ribs from the earth. Kael walked ahead, scanning for traps.

I paused.

There.

A flicker.

Just outside the light.

A shadow where there shouldn't be one.

"Kael." My voice was low, careful.

He turned. "What?"

"We're being watched."

No rustle. No footstep. But the air had changed.

I stepped toward the tree line.

And saw him.

A boy.

Pale. Too pale.

White hair that fell over one eye. Feet bare. Wrapped in a tattered gray cloak that blended into the bark.

He wasn't hiding.

He was waiting.

His gaze locked with mine and something in me went cold.

Not fear.

Recognition.

He didn't speak.

Didn't blink.

But a voice.....soft, cracked brushed the inside of my skull.

> You burn so loudly.

I flinched.

Kael moved instantly, stepping in front of me, flames blooming across his hands.

"Back off."

Still, the boy said nothing.

But his lips parted.

And the voice came again. Like a broken music box.

> You're not supposed to exist yet.

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked.

But he was already gone.

No puff of smoke. No flash.

Just… gone.

Kael spun, scanning the trees. "What did he say to you?"

I didn't answer right away.

Because the words were still crawling through my veins like poison.

> You're not supposed to exist yet.

And worse:

> But now that you do… they'll come faster.

I turned to Kael.

And for the first time in days, I let the fear show.

"I think that was a warning."