AYLA – POV
It started with silence. Just blood—on the stones of the northern border.
By the time we got there, the sun hadn't risen. And five wolves were already dead.
No scent. No claw marks. No sign of magic.
Just symbols.
Pactless.
"They didn't take anything," Daya said, crouching beside her body.
"No," I said. "They left something."
I pointed to the sigil carved into the stone.
A broken circle.
A thread, severed at both ends.
Rylan traced it, frowning. "They're not here to conquer."
"They're here to erase."
Kael stepped beside me. "We need to pull back. Fortify the Grove."
"No," I said. "We can't defend what doesn't stand for anything yet."
He stared at me. "Then what do you suggest?"
I looked north.
"Send Callen."
He stiffened. "She's not ready."
"She's the thread they want to sever. That makes her the one they fear."
Kael's jaw clenched. "So we make her bait?"
"No," I said. "We make her a banner."
Callen agreed without hesitation.
