SERAPHINA’S POV
“Sera! Where the hell are you?”
It felt like an eternity had passed before Judy’s voice rang through the trees, ragged and sharp with worry.
Another echoed after it—Roxy, more irritated than worried. “If you went and froze your ass off out here, I swear—”
“I’m here!” I called, voice cracking.
My throat still burned, and I wasn’t sure if the tightness in my chest came from lingering panic or the wave of emotions that surged when I heard Alina.
My legs wobbled as I scrambled down the ridge, breath fogging thick in the frigid air. Every step, every handhold, felt like clawing out of my own grave.
By the time I reached the others’ flashlights flickering weakly between the trees, my arms trembled from the firewood load I had regathered.
Most of it had gotten too wet to be much use in a fire, and I cursed myself for ultimately letting my teammates down.
